School travel bosses seek £5.5m cost cut

Cumberland Council will discuss proposals at a meeting next Tuesday

Plans have been put forward to cut the cost of school transport by £5.5m over the next three years.

Cumberland Council bosses have been recommended to approve a scheme that includes cheaper options for children with special educational needs (SEND).

Suggestions include providing a travel buddy on public transport, reimbursing parents or carers for mileage and creating walking buses.

A report prepared for the council executive claimed the authority "cannot continue to provide travel assistance in the manner it has".

Cumberland Council said it provides daily transport to about 5,200 children and young people attending 125 different schools, with a £13.7m budget.

This is done in a number of ways, including seats on coaches, minibuses and taxis.

Children qualify when they have certain SEND needs or if they attend their nearest suitable school, but that is still too far for them to walk.

Those from low-income families may also qualify under certain circumstances.

'Promote independence'

The Labour-led authority said the proposed changes were not aimed at reducing eligibility and the number of children using these services had increased by 75% in the last eight years.

It added: "The proposals are designed to provide added flexibility in the way the council fulfils its statutory responsibilities."

One of the proposals is the introduction of an independent travel training scheme for SEND children.

Money would be paid to parents or carers to provide them and their child with a travel pass on public transport, paying someone to walk or cycle to school with them or arranging shared travel.

Council papers said the proposals would provide "real options for children and families that promote independence".

If approved, the scheme would go out for consultation with a view to being introduced in September 2025.

It is due to be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday.