TRAVEL by mini bus and the laws relating to hiring and driving them were contained in a report to Bury Metro's Education Committee which met last night (Wednesday) to agree a policy for the use of mini buses by education establishments and services in the Borough. The report by chief education officer John Beech says that a number of high schools own or lease buses and other schools and services hire them.

"People are rightly concerned about pupil safety and staff protection in this area," he says.

"There have been serious accidents which have highlighted the need for good practice."

A code of practice in Bury has been in preparation for some time and schools have been working within its draft.

In February this year the Government issued revisions concerning seat belts and, says, Mr Beech, it is time to have the code adopted as Authority policy.

"The need for a clear Code of Practice," he says, "is very important."

It will allow schools and other services to use mini buses under a Section 19 permit.

This permit, which comes under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985, and is open to any mini bus operator, will exempt the operator from the requirement to hold a PCV operator's licence.

It also exempts drivers from the requirement to hold a PCV driver's licence.

But even when the Code of Practice is adopted, schools are warned that it is still the responsibility of the school, and ultimately the driver, to ensure that the vehicle is fit and legal for its purpose.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.