A disparity in mileage allowance was recently raised to Blyth Town Councillor for Cowpen, Cllr Brian Erskine. Some parents of children with Special Educational Needs are asked by the council to transport their children to school with the mileage being reimbursed. For some time, this has been paid at 29p per mile, while the current average has increased to 45p per mile.

After a resident raised this with Cllr Erskine, he quickly brought this to the attention of Northumberland County Council to address the issue. 

Following a meeting, the Passenger Transport Manager said, “We will be reimbursing these parents at 45p per mile going forward. This change of mileage rate will apply from 1st June.”

Speaking at the full council meeting today, Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This was raised with me by Cllr Brian Erskine from Blyth about three weeks ago, and a week later the rate was changed to 45p per mile. I was very pleased with the team here who managed to get that changed very quickly when we realised it wasn’t where it should be. The rate change has been backdated to 1st June“

Cllr Brian Erskine said: “I would like to thank the member of the public for bringing this to my attention so I could action this as your Councillor, and to NCC and to Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson and team for making this happen. Without everyone involved this wouldn’t have been achieved so quickly.”