Agenda item

This report presents the findings of a strategic review undertaken by an external provider into the Local Authority’s home to school transport arrangements focussing on our arrangements and provision for children and young people pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The key objective of the review was to identify strategic and operational opportunities that support the development of independent travel options and make improvements to how home-to-school transport is delivered with a focus on potential efficiencies and service improvement.

It identifies key opportunities to introduce travel options that meet individual needs and help prepare young people for adulthood and promote long-term independence. Key issues include the complexity of transport arrangements, market capacity challenges, and the need for improved commissioning models that deliver better outcomes and value for money. The report presents a range of options and opportunities for future delivery and contained details of the investment necessary to achieve cashable savings and cost avoidance.

This report seeks approval to proceed with a formal tendering exercise to commission an external provider to implement a phased delivery of change proposals that encourage independent travel, build independence and reduce journey times for children and young people. The approach will be supportive of young people's development to help young people gain confidence and practical skills for travelling safely on their own will result in making school transport more efficient and sustainable.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report presented the findings of a strategic review undertaken by an external provider into the Local Authority’s home to school transport arrangements focussing on our arrangements and provision for children and young people pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Further to this Cabinet was informed that the key objective of the review was to identify strategic and operational opportunities that support the development of independent travel options and make improvements to how home-to-school transport is delivered with a focus on potential efficiencies and service improvement, and that it identified key opportunities to introduce travel options that meet individual needs and help prepare young people for adulthood and promote long-term independence.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the key issues included the complexity of transport arrangements, market capacity challenges, and the need for improved commissioning models that deliver better outcomes and value for money, and that the report presented a range of options and opportunities for future delivery and contained details of the investment necessary to achieve cashable savings and cost avoidance.  

Cabinet was informed that the report sought approval to proceed with a formal tendering exercise to commission an external provider to implement a phased delivery of change proposals that encourage independent travel, build independence and reduce journey times for children and young people, and that the approach will be supportive of young people's development to help young people gain confidence and practical skills for travelling safely on their own and will result in making school transport more efficient and sustainable. 

The Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown addressed the Cabinet advising that the Committee at their meeting the previous evening had debated the item in detail following which the Committee had agreed the following recommendation: -

The Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to endorse the recommendation within the report to Cabinet, this being that Cabinet:

‘Agree to tender an external provider to deliver a transformation project over three years with a total cost of £1.5 million funded by the flexible use of capital receipts to deliver service improvements and by the end of the project on-going savings in SEND school transport projected at £3 million (net of additional resource requirement)’

(Majority Decision)

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills thanked the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their debate and discussion the previous evening.

RECOMMENDED that Council Agree to tender an external provider to deliver a transformation project over three years with a total cost of £1.5 million funded by the flexible use of capital receipts to deliver service improvements and by the end of the project on-going savings in SEND school transport projected at £3 million (net of additional resource requirement).

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

The recommended approach promotes independence by equipping children and young people with essential travel skills, while addressing rising complexity and cost pressures. A phased delivery plan ensures smooth transition, co-production with families, and ongoing evaluation. By building internal resilience and leveraging external expertise where needed, the Council retains strategic control and delivers a more sustainable, value-for-money service—reducing long-term costs and improving outcomes.