School travel policy to be updated

School transport rules for children and young people with special educational needs are set to be updated.

Leicestershire County Council is modernising its 10-year-old policy to make sure it is in line with guidelines around mainstream school transport.

The council will still provide free transport to pupils who live over two miles from their primary school and three miles from their secondary school but, as outlined in a new report, is proposing that those who live nearer wouldn't be entitled to free travel.

Travel assistance would still be considered for anyone living nearer, if they have specific difficulties preventing them getting to school even when accompanied by a parent or carer.

Following feedback from parents, any payments for post-16 transport would be means-tested to protect families with limited incomes.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the children and young people's service, said: "It's important to make Leicestershire’s policy more relevant, fair and cost-effective but we needed to fully understand the issues raised by parents before taking any decisions.

"We've listened to feedback and taken time to explore the impact of changes and I'm pleased we've been able to address parents' main concern through means-testing payments."

The proposals will be discussed by the council's cabinet next Tuesday (3rd April).

Any changes would not be introduced until September 2013 and are expected to save around £300,000.

Parents, schools and young people were asked for their views last autumn on plans to update the council's policy and bring it in line with mainstream school transport rules.

It's proposed that the cost of transport would be in line with the current post-16 charge of £240 per year.