Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children and Young People

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/076

Contact: Stephen Good, Home to School Transport Programme Manager

Stephen.good@oxfordshire,gov.uk

Report by Director of Children’s Services

The existing Home to School Transport Policies were last consulted upon in 2014 (Compulsory School Age) and 2018 (Post 16). DfE Guidance was last updated in 2019 for Post 16 Travel and in 2023 and 2024 for Compulsory School Age.

Local authorities should keep their school travel policy under regular review to ensure it continues to meet local needs and comply with statutory requirements. Due to the significant time that had passed since the previous consultations, a review of the policies was undertaken in 2024. The purpose of the review was to ensure alignment with the Council’s statutory obligations and identify existing areas of discretionary provision.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED TO

a)            ENDORSE the recommendations following analysis of the public consultation feedback in relation to the Home to School Travel and Transport Policy 2025/26 onwards for Reception to Year 11.

b)           AGREE to the adoption of the proposed Post 16 Transport Policy Statement Academic Year 2026/27, which reflects the consultation analysis recommendations to not introduce a contribution charge for those eligible for support under this policy.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report on a review of the Council’s Home to School Transport Policies. These were last consulted upon in 2014 (Compulsory School Age) and 2018 (Post 16). Department for Education Guidance was last updated in 2019 for Post 16 Travel and in 2023 and 2024 for Compulsory School Age.

Local authorities were required to keep their school travel policy under regular review to ensure it continued to meet local needs and comply with statutory requirements. Due to the significant time that had passed since the previous consultations, a review of the policies was undertaken in 2024. The purpose of the review was to ensure alignment with the Council’s statutory obligations and identify existing areas of discretionary provision.

Councillor Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report.  The report reflected extensive analysis and consultation feedback on the revisions to the Home to School Transport Policy.

He said that the report highlighted that 60% of respondents to the consultation opposed the introduction of charges for post-16 transport.

During discussion, the following points were made:-

·       Councillor Liz Brighouse, Chair of the Education and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended an annual review of the policy. She also suggested more flexibility in the policy to accommodate individual circumstances, such as the example of siblings traveling separately to the same school. 

·       Another member expressed satisfaction with the extensive consultation process and the decision not to introduce contribution charges. The importance of considering the lived experiences of those affected by the policy was emphasised. 

Councillor Gaul moved and Councillor Gregory seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)             endorse the recommendations following analysis of the public consultation feedback in relation to the Home to School Travel and Transport Policy 2025/26 onwards for Reception to Year 11.

b)             agree to the adoption of the proposed Post 16 Transport Policy Statement Academic Year 2026/27, which reflects the consultation analysis recommendations to not introduce a contribution charge for those eligible for support under this policy.