The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 13 May 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the post-16 transport policy and to consider a referral regarding the closure of Albury School. The meeting decided to amend the post-16 transport policy, introducing Personal Travel Budgets as the standard offer for most 16-18 year olds requiring travel support, while deferring the decision on Albury School to a later date.

Post-16 Transport Policy Consultation Responses

The Cabinet approved proposed changes to the post-16 transport policy, introducing Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs) as the standard offer for the majority of 16-18 year olds requiring travel support to get to school or college from September 2026. This change aims to increase flexibility for families and promote independence for young people, while also generating significant financial efficiencies for the council.

Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, presented the report, highlighting the statutory requirement for local authorities to provide home-to-school transport for eligible young people between the ages of 5 and 16, but not for those aged 16 to 18. He explained that the number of young people requiring transport and the associated costs had risen dramatically, necessitating a review of the policy.

The proposed changes will see contracted transport replaced by PTBs for most eligible young people, calculated based on mileage at 55p per mile, with an additional £450 annual top-up for those receiving higher-level Disability Living Allowance or PIP. Families who wish to apply for contracted transport due to specific needs or lack of public transport will have their applications considered by senior officers, with an appeal process available.

Consultation on the proposals revealed that while 54% of respondents were not happy to receive a PTB, 27% were happy to accept one, and 19% were unsure. A significant portion of respondents (45%) agreed that the council needed to target its resources at those most in need. Concerns raised included the high level of individual needs among young people, the potential detrimental impact on families, a lack of public transport alternatives in rural areas, and a perceived shift of responsibility from the council to parents.

The council has taken steps to mitigate these concerns, including providing additional publicity about PTBs, offering travel training, and considering individual circumstances through a two-stage appeal process. Families currently receiving contracted transport will be eligible to continue if their circumstances do not change.

The financial impact of these proposals is estimated to result in net efficiencies of approximately £800,000 in the first year, rising to £3.2 million by year three, based on 75% of young people travelling by PTB. These savings are intended to be reinvested into the SEND service.

The Cabinet agreed to amend the County Council's Post-16 Transport to Education and Training Policy for the 2026/27 academic year, with PTBs introduced as the standard offer. The revised policy will be reviewed in approximately six months.

Proposal to Close Albury School Deferred

Item five, relating to the proposal to close Albury School, was withdrawn from the agenda. Councillor Steve Jarvis, Leader of the Council, explained that while legal advice indicated the item could be discussed, there were concerns about whether members of the public had adequate opportunity to witness the meeting. To ensure sufficient time for detailed discussion of updated reports, the matter was deferred to a special Cabinet meeting the following week.