Decision details

Proposed decision

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:

Agree the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement including Post 19 for the 2024/25 academic year.

Background

Local authorities have a legal duty to annually publish a Post 16 Transport Policy Statement. This decision will put in place the policy for the academic year 2024/25. 

KCC currently provides a Kent 16+ Travel Saver card to 4,765 pupils. KCC expects this card to be suitable for most learners, but where it is not KCC will consider applications for support – the policy statement sets out the assessment process and options available.

Financial Implications

KCC’s total estimated revenue costs for transporting Post 16 young people using either the KTS 16+ travel pass or KCC arranged transport/ Personal Transport Budget is approximately £14.6m per year, though this can vary depending on demand. Approximately £2.5m is recouped through the charging of the KTS16+ (currently £500 per year per child), with the balance of £12.1m met from the Home to School Transport revenue budget.

The financial impact of the proposals set out in this paper are estimated to achieve an annual saving of around £1.4m to £2.0m as set out below.

• The removal of wholly free Post 16 transport for learners with SEND and/or mobility problems, by charging the equivalent amount of a KTS16+ pass (currently £500 per year, with a discounted rate for those eligible for Free School Meals) is estimated to reduce the £14.6m transport costs by approximately £0.5m per year.

• The removal of additional drop off and collection times for Post 16 learners to accommodate partial attendance reduces costs by approximately £0.2m per year,

• Introduction of qualifying criteria for learners seeking transport support for new education courses started after their 19th birthday could reduce the annual cost by around £0.6m to £1.3m (this is dependent on the course undertaken and journey times).

The costs of implementation are estimated to be around £30k, which includes system changes and website development. The increase in capacity of the CYPE transport eligibility team is estimated to be £50k.

Legal Implications

The requirements placed on a local authority are defined in the Education Act 1996 (as amended), Education and Skills Act 2008, Education and Inspections Act 2006, Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and the Equality Act 2010.

Local authorities do not have a general obligation to provide free or subsidised post 16 travel support but do have a duty to prepare and publish an annual transport policy statement specifying the arrangements for the provision of transport or other support that the authority considers it necessary to make to facilitate the attendance of all persons of sixth form age receiving education or training.

Local authorities have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to participate in education and training, up to the age of 25.

The policy statement sets out the duties on the LA to consider requests for transport support. Where additional support is refused, learners can appeal to the Transport Regulation Committee Appeal Panel. 

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement including Post 19 for the 2024/25 academic year.