Home to School transport consultation

Every council in the country is facing considerable pressure on public services. Kent County Council has produced a budget to deliver £95million of savings this year and a further £65million next year. Part of these wider savings includes a £2.5million reduction in the school transport budget over two years.

Some children who attend their nearest school have a right to free transport and this is protected by law and will be unaffected. For many years the council has additionally provided free transport for pupils who attend a grammar or denominational school, even where this is not their nearest school. Since Kent's home to school transport policy was last reviewed, there have been huge changes to both schools and transport options. The Kent Freedom Pass, introduced by Kent County Council four years ago, continues to be very successful with over 26,500 of Kent's 11-16 year olds enjoying use of public bus services not only to get to and from school, but also at weekends, in the evenings and during school holidays.

Kent enjoys a rich and diverse mix of schools and remains firmly committed to its grammar schools. Wide-ability schools, many of them new academies, are also available across the county. The need to save money in the public sector and recent changes in legislation has prompted a radical re-think of the county's approach to its discretionary transport provision.

What follows is an explanation of our existing legal duties and our proposal for change. Feedback from this consultation will be considered before any final decision is taken.

• Read the full consultation document
  Copies of this document are available in alternative formats on request.
• Watch the webcast of the Cabinet meeting on 20 June 2011
  Use the "Index Points" tab to jump directly to item 10 which covers Home to School transport.

This consultation has now closed.