Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval to proceed to a public consultation exercise on proposed changes to Education Transport Policy.

Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)      recognise the significant financial challenges of delivering the Home to School transport service;

(b)      welcome the work carried out to date on the Home to School transport service to manage demand, lower supply costs and plan more efficiently;

(c)      approve the commencement of a 6-week consultation process to seek views on a proposal to remove the discretionary policy of providing free school transport for children attending a school outside of their transport priority area when the parent has expressed a preference for their child to be educated at a school with a particular ethos due to their own faith, or belief; and

(d)      agree to receive a further report to Cabinet in February 2027 setting out the outcomes of the consultation process at which point Cabinet may be requested to approve proposed policy changes.