Understand
Cumberland Council consults on proposed changes to transport funding for over-16 SEND students
Overview
Cumberland Council has launched a consultation regarding potential changes to how it funds home-to-school transport for students over 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The local authority currently provides free transport largely irrespective of cost, spending about £1m in the last financial year. Under the new proposals, families would instead receive a financial contribution equivalent to the cost of a public bus pass to help build independence and reduce council costs.
Key points
- Cumberland Council has started a consultation on transport cost contributions for over-16 SEND students, running until 20 November.
- The council currently provides free transport for these students despite having no legal obligation to do so, spending approximately £1m last year.
- Proposed changes would replace free dedicated transport with a payment equivalent to a public bus pass, valued at £1,140 for the current financial year.
- Free transport may still be provided on a case-by-case basis or where seats are available on existing routes.
- Implementing the changes could save the council up to £623,000 in the next financial year and £986,000 the following year.
- Out of 429 over-16 students currently transported, 109 travel on routes commissioned exclusively for over-16s and would be most impacted.