Central Bedfordshire Council is asking parents and carers for their views on proposed changes to its home to school and college travel assistance policies, which outline who is eligible for free or discounted travel to school and college.
In certain circumstances, the Council provides support with home to school and college transport to school pupils aged 5-16, and students attending post-16 education. The Council is proposing changes after parents, carers and professionals fed back about the existing policies during engagement sessions to review the policies.
Now, the Council has launched a twelve-week public consultation to secure feedback on the proposed changes from the wider public.
The Council is proposing to:
- Update its policy for children aged 5-16 to extend the eligibility criteria to cover more groups of children. This will include support for those in joint custody arrangements, and children with special educational needs.
- Update the policy for 16-19 year-olds so that it is clearer for parents to understand, with the eligibility criteria remaining the same
- Create a policy document outlining the clear eligibility criteria for parents and young people over the age of 19
Any changes to the council’s policies will come into effect for the September 2022 intake of pupil admissions, so it is consulting with the public now so that the responses can be considered ahead of the next round of school admissions.
Cllr Sue Clark, Central Bedfordshire Council Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “The most common feedback on our existing policies is that the eligibility criteria aren’t clear enough, and the criteria are hard to interpret. We have proposed new wording for all of our policies to ensure that parents and practitioners are clear on who can get support with travel.
“We’ve also made a number of changes to the 5-16 policy, to extend the eligibility criteria to cover more groups of children. This will include support for those in joint custody arrangements, and children with special educational needs.
“We’re keen to hear people’s views on the proposals. It is important that everyone who is entitled to assistance to get from home to school is able to access the service, and I hope the proposed changes will make this clearer.”
Notes to editor
The consultation is open from 28 January until 22 April. Members of the public can have their say by filling out a questionnaire at: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/38/consultations/917/home_to_school_and_travel_policies_consultation
The consultation feedback will be considered at the council’s Executive Committee meeting on 8 June before the new policies are finalised.
For further information please contact: Lindsay Coates-Ledden, Communications Officer at Lindsay.coates-ledden@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk