Agenda item

Purpose of report

The purpose of the report is to consider responses to the home to school/college transport consultation and identify areas for change to the Home to School Transport Policy and Post 16 Learners Statement in order to further address the continuing overspend of this budget. The proposed changes relate only to discretionary support and do not affect the council's delivery of its statutory responsibilities for home to school/college transport.

RECOMMENDED

It is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Education agree the following changes to the Home to School Transport Policy and Post 16 Learners Statement:

(i)            That the age range is lowered for eligible post 16 students (those with significant and exceptional needs) from 16-25 years to 16-19 years, in line with other Local Authorities, as from 1^st September 2018. For those in Year 14 who meet the exceptional circumstances criteria and who start their college course in September 2017, the council will continue to provide transport assistance until July 2019.

(ii)          That the council ceases to provide transport for new placements of nursery age students who attend specialist nursery schools as from 1^st September 2018.  All those children who currently receive transport assistance and who continue to meet the criteria will continue to be able to make an application for each year that they attend specialist nursery provision.  Applications are made on an annual basis.

(iii)         That the cost of privilege places on a minibus or taxi is increased from £495 per annum to £750 per annum as from 1^st September 2018.

(iv)         That a two tier financial contribution of £495 per annum for low income families of post-16 students and £600 per annum for families of post-16 students who do not meet the criteria for low income, is introduced as from 1^st September 2018.

(v)          That the points threshold for automatic entitlement to home to school/college transport is raised from 60 points to 70 points as from 1^st September 2018. For those who are currently in receipt of this entitlement, this will continue until the end of their Key Stage or end of post-16 education, if they continue to meet criteria.

The report was introduced by Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion.  She clarified the proposed changes affected level 1 targeted short breaks only. 

In response to questions the following matters were clarified:

·        With regard to the transport for nursery age children who attend specialist nursery schools, Julia said that when respondents were presented with the 6 options this was the least favoured option, however, the trend is that parents increasingly want their children to attend local mainstream nurseries, so we need to look at how we can support those nurseries to meet children's special educational needs, where this is the parental preference.  The recommendation is to introduce this change from September 2018 so that parents will have all of the information they need before they consider placement preference. 

·         Councillor Horton raised concerns that option 5, raising the points threshold for automatic entitlement to home to school/college transport, would have an impact on a large number of students.  Julia explained that the points system is about automatic entitlement and parents can still appeal if they do not meet the points threshold.  The council are keen to promote young people's independence in their transition to adulthood. The recommendation is that this change is introduced for young people starting new college course from September 2018 to ensure that young people have all the information they need when they are considering college placements. The impact on young people accessing college placements will continue to be closely monitored.

                  The Cabinet Member said that it was important to note that the changes would not be made until September 2018.  She thanked officers for the through report. 

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member for Education agreed the following changes to the Home to School Transport Policy and Post 16 Learners Statement:

(i)  That the age range is lowered for eligible post 16 students (those with significant and exceptional needs) from 16-25 years to 16-19 years, in line with other Local Authorities, as from 1^st September 2018. For those in Year 14 who meet the exceptional circumstances criteria and who start their college course in September 2017, the council will continue to provide transport assistance until July 2019.

(ii)That the council ceases to provide transport for new placements of nursery age students who attend specialist nursery schools as from 1^st September 2018.  All those children who currently receive transport assistance and who continue to meet the criteria will continue to be able to make an application for each year that they attend specialist nursery provision.  Applications are made on an annual basis.

(iii)That the cost of privilege places on a minibus or taxi is increased from £495 per annum to £750 per annum as from 1^st September 2018.

(iv)That a two tier financial contribution of £495 per annum for low income families of post-16 students and £600 per annum for families of post-16 students who do not meet the criteria for low income, is introduced as from 1^st September 2018.

(v)  That the points threshold for automatic entitlement to home to school/college transport is raised from 60 points to 70 points as from 1^st September 2018. For those who are currently in receipt of this entitlement, this will continue until the end of their Key Stage or end of post-16 education, if they continue to meet criteria.