Home to School transport for children with special educational needs

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This consultation has now closed.

Overview

Despite significant reductions to Government spending since 2010 and a return to economic growth, the financial environment for the council, the wider public sector, and residents continues to be challenging.

The council will be providing local services in the context of dramatic pressure on public finances. Between 2011 and 2015 the council has needed to save £75 million, 26% of its budget. The council now faces a further budget gap of over £90 million by the end of the decade (£17.3 million in 2015/16 and £73.5 million from 2016 -20) to cope with the impact of a falling grant from central government, a rise in demand for key services such as social care for adults and children, and the impact of inflation. By the end of this decade the council’s spending power per resident will almost halve compared to 2010. The priorities to deal with this reflect the council’s desire to continue to have a positive impact on the lives of Barnet residents for years to come.

Children’s, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding committee in 2015/16 needs to find £3.39m million savings for 2015/16. As part of this we are seeking to save £500,000 from its home to school transport budget.

The council has a duty to make home to school transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to their special educational needs or disabilities. Most eligible children and young people will have statements of Special Education Needs (SEN) or Education, Health and Care Plans. However, not all children and young people who have statements of SEN or Education, Health and Care Plans are eligible for free transport.

The council plans to save £500,000 from its home to school transport budget through a mixture of efficiencies, placing more children locally so that transport is not required and working with parents to better plan the arrangements for their child’s journey’s to school.

For more information on the background and how we plan to achieve these savings please refer to our consultation document.

Overview

Despite significant reductions to Government spending since 2010 and a return to economic growth, the financial environment for the council, the wider public sector, and residents continues to be challenging.

The council will be providing local services in the context of dramatic pressure on public finances. Between 2011 and 2015 the council has needed to save £75 million, 26% of its budget. The council now faces a further budget gap of over £90 million by the end of the decade (£17.3 million in 2015/16 and £73.5 million from 2016 -20) to cope with the impact of a falling grant from central government, a rise in demand for key services such as social care for adults and children, and the impact of inflation. By the end of this decade the council’s spending power per resident will almost halve compared to 2010. The priorities to deal with this reflect the council’s desire to continue to have a positive impact on the lives of Barnet residents for years to come.

Children’s, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding committee in 2015/16 needs to find £3.39m million savings for 2015/16. As part of this we are seeking to save £500,000 from its home to school transport budget.

The council has a duty to make home to school transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to their special educational needs or disabilities. Most eligible children and young people will have statements of Special Education Needs (SEN) or Education, Health and Care Plans. However, not all children and young people who have statements of SEN or Education, Health and Care Plans are eligible for free transport.

The council plans to save £500,000 from its home to school transport budget through a mixture of efficiencies, placing more children locally so that transport is not required and working with parents to better plan the arrangements for their child’s journey’s to school.

For more information on the background and how we plan to achieve these savings please refer to our consultation document.