Liberal democrat led Westmorland and Furness Council proposes to cut free school transport for 1,560 children across South Cumbria which would see it stopping the non-statutory services that it currently provides.
Proposals are drawing criticism
The council launched a public consultation on the proposals last month but stressed that no current schoolchildren would lose transport with it set to affect ‘new reception, year 7 intakes and pupils eligible for SEND post-16 transport’ from 2027 if it were passed.
But the plans have attracted criticism with Liberal Democrat Cllr Adrian Waite of Kirkby Stephen and Tebay publicly criticising them, saying pupils in his ward would be left without transport to A-level classes.
Now, documents on the council website reveal that the proposals could affect over 1,000 children across Westmorland and Furness Council’s area.
But they show that, over a five year period, the council would save almost £2 million.
They include both primary and secondary school children who live within the statutory walking distance of their nearest school, pupils who choose to attend a school which is not their nearest, the introduction of charges for post-16 SEND pupils and more.
The worst-affected would be pupils of secondary age who attend a school which is not their nearest.
It may affect up to 600 children
The council estimates that 120 would be impacted in 2027/28 with 600 estimated to be affected once the policy is fully embedded, which would take five years.
Officers say that this cut, alongside 49 primary school children over the course of five years for the same reason, ‘could generate £1 million’ over that period.
The removal of free transport for children who are not yet compulsory school age – four years old – would see 64 impacted in 2027/28 with 448 affected once it is fully embedded after seven years.
The introduction of charges for post-16 SEND pupils would affect 87 over the course of its two year implementation, with savings of ‘up to £94k yearly’ based on the current cohort.
A further 87 pupils would be affected by the introduction of a ‘hierarchy of transport assistance’ – saving the council a potential of ‘up to £100k’ a year.
Proposals will be debated on 20 April
Councillors will debate the proposals at the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee on Monday, April 20 at 1pm at the Care Leavers Hub on Greengate Street, Barrow.
By Local Democracy Reporter Zach Harrison.
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