Decision details

KCC has a duty to consider applications for transport and is required to enable access to education.  In most circumstances it meets this duty through the KCC 16+ Travel Saver pass. This is a generous discretionary scheme which aids access to both education and employment with training. The card will continue to be made available at the agreed cost of £400 a year with no limit on the level of use. Learning providers, at their discretion, can subsidise this using bursary funding and we would expect bursary to be provided for up to 50% of the cost for low income families.

KCC has a duty to consult on and publish its Post 16 Transport Policy Statement each year.  Whilst there is no statutory duty to provide transport for Post 16 Learners, there is a duty to consider applications for assistance with transport and to enable access to education and training to age 18. The transport policy sets out how KCC will meet this duty and what learners can expect by way of support.

Schools, colleges and learning providers have been consulted, as have their students. Neighbouring local authorities and Public Transport have also been included in the consultation, as have parents.  The consultation on the proposed policy ran until the 7 April 2019. 

The policy is attached as appendix 1 and a copy of the consultation document and the equalities impact assessment can be found via the following link:   www.kent.gov.uk/post16transport.

As Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education,I agree to the Kent Post-16 Transport Policy Statement and for it to be published by 31 May 2019.