West Sussex may charge for all school transport

The county council’s strategic environmental services select committee heard that consideration was being given to charging parents of post-16 students with special educational needs a contribution towards the costs.

This would provide extra income for the council of about £42,000 in a full year.

“This would be consistent with the charging practice in many other authorities,” said an officer’s report.

In addition, the cabinet member for education and schools had decided in principle to withdraw discretional funding for late school buses for pupils staying behind at some schools.

“Schools may choose to fund the services themselves directly, but the withdrawal would lead to £65,000 savings a year,” said the report.

Since 2008, the county council had charged parents a contribution towards the costs of transport for pupils attending church-aided schools which were not their nearest suitable school

Councillor Simon McDougall said he was concerned that, quite often, children with special educational needs came from disadvantaged backgrounds and from deprived areas.

The report said there were risks attached to the new charges.

Some parents might choose to drive their children to church schools, and some post-16 students with special educational needs might not be able to access courses because of the costs.

A scheme, giving reduced bus fares, and educational maintenance allowances, was said to mitigate the impact.