28/2/2011 - School transport policies - public consultation

A public consultation will take place into proposed changes to the county's home to school/college transport policies.

Due to spending pressures the council has reassessed its priorities, targeting resources where they are most needed and reducing overall costs. 

Approximately 10,000 children and young people in Cumbria are entitled to transport support by law. A further 6,500 receive discretionary transport support which costs the Council more than £2 million annually.

The consultation, which starts on Monday 28 February, asks parents and carers to choose between discretionary elements of the school transport service which go well beyond what the council is required to provide by law.

The suggested options include:

*To phase out discretionary support and set a fixed fee of £350 per year.

* To stop certain discretionary grants for all new applicants from September 2011 but keep a service for those already getting transport until the end of their course.

The council will continue to pay for transport for those from low income families 

No changes are proposed to the statutory element of the service.

Children eligible for free transport are defined in the 1996 Education Act and 2006 Education and Inspections Act.

They are:

*Aged 5-8 years who live more than two miles from their nearest school, by the shortest available walking route.

*Aged 8-16 years who live more than three miles from their nearest school, by the shortest available walking route.

*Whose parents/carers receive the maximum level of working tax credit and children who receive free school meals and meet qualifying distance criteria.

Consultation documents are sent to all parents and carers in the county of students who are currently eligible or who may be eligible in the future. 

They can be returned in the freepost envelope provided.

Consultation questions can also be completed online at www.haveyoursay.org.uk/h2stransport

Julia Morrison, corporate director, Children's Services, Cumbria County Council, said:

"Traditionally we have been extremely generous in providing discretionary transport in Cumbria.

But the budgetary challenges we now face means we have to look carefully at whether we can continue to subsidise many of these services.

As well as saving money the proposed changes would also make the system fairer for all, as the current policies mean some pupils get benefits that others do not.

Ending discretionary transport would bring us line with an increasing number of other local authorities but we’d like to hear what parents think before making any final decisions."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.