Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which seeks approval to proceed with a period of consultation on a range of proposals regarding the future provision of transport assistance for post-16 learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which sought approval for the Council to undertake a period of consultation on a range of proposals regarding the future provision of transport assistance for post-16 learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted that should the proposal for consultation be agreed, the intention was to submit a further report to the Board in October 2024 presenting the consultation findings and any associated proposals. The context and factors which had led to the proposal to undertake consultation in relation to this service area were noted, and it was highlighted that any changes which were delivered would be phased in from September 2025 for new applications.

Concern was raised by a Member regarding the recommendation within the report that the decisions from it be exempted from Call In. In response, it was highlighted that the proposed consultation was required to be undertaken during school term time and that the subsequent report due to be submitted in October outlining any proposals to change the service would be eligible for Call In. It was also highlighted that due to the level of transformation across the directorate, the work which had been undertaken to date on this matter and due to the capacity available, it had meant that this was the earliest opportunity to submit this report to the Board.

A further concern was raised about the principles of the proposals, and the need to ensure that the requirements of young people needed to be prioritised ahead of the need to save money.

Members discussed the benefits of independent travel training and the scale at which it was being delivered.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That in general terms, the contents of the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That the plan for consultation to take place over a four-week period starting 24th June 2024 and closing on 21st July 2024 on a range of proposals for post-16 SEND transport assistance, be approved;

(c)  That it be agreed that the findings from the consultation be used in the preparation of a new post-16 SEND transport offer, with it being noted that it is currently planned for this to be presented toExecutive Board for approval in October 2024;

(d)  That the resolutions from this report ((a) – (e)) be exempted from the Call In process for the reasons as set out in paragraphs 32 – 34 of the submitted report;

(e)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for the implementation of such matters is the Director of Children and Families.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Lamb required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that the matter is urgent and any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s interests. In line with this, the resolutions contained within this minute were exempted from the Call In process, as per resolution (d) above, and for the reasons as set out within sections 32 - 34 of the submitted report and as discussed during the meeting)