Consultation on the subsidised provision of transport for post-16 students

1. Background

The Isle of Wight Council currently offers subsidised home to school transport to high school sixth form students and to Isle of Wight College students. These students pay £27.50 per term towards the cost of this travel. Any student on a full time course, providing they are eligible on the basis of distance or another criterion, can apply for this termly pass. The subsidised home to school transport is not means tested. The cost to the council for this post-16 transport for the year from September 2010 is £616,960 (based on the figures below):

Post-16 transport predicted costs (based on numbers anticipated at 9 September 2010)

Predicted costs from September 2010 to July 2011:

Expenditure: 715 Isle of Wight College students x £700 annual term ticket = £500,500.
Expenditure: 220 High School sixth formers x £8801annual term ticket = £193,600.
Income for three terms = @ £27.50 per term = £82.50 per student.
Income: 935 students @ £82.50 = £77,140.
NET cost to the council, £500,500 + 193,600 - £77,140 = £616,960

These figures are based on the new contractual arrangements (2011) with Southern Vectis.

2. What change is being considered?

The council is considering changing its Home to School Transport Policy so that from September 2011 transport to post-16 education providers will no longer be offered to students, other than those who remain eligible by law.

3. Why is the change being considered?

With the cost of transport increasing, the council is not able to sustain the current level of transport support it offers to pupils. In the current economic climate, the council needs to identify significant savings, so it is reviewing its areas of discretionary spending. In so doing, the council is committed to ensuring its services and its use of resources are fair and equitable to all its residents - including fair access to education.

4. Who is being consulted on this proposal?

The council is consulting with all 14 to 19 providers, parents and carers, students, schools (heads), service staff, college, youth council, members, and governing bodies of the institutions providing higher education.

5. How can I respond to the consultation?

Respondents should complete the online response form, available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/post_16_travel or send the paper response form to:

Post 16 Discretional Transport Consultation,
County Hall,
Newport,
Isle of Wight
PO30 1UD.

Public events are being held for further information and discussion about the proposed changes on the following dates:

Wednesday 18 May, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, Isle of Wight College
Tuesday 24 May, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, Sandown High School
Tuesday 7 June, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, Medina High School
Tuesday 14 June, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, Ryde High School

Tuesday 14 June, 6.15pm to 7.30pm, Ryde High School

6. What is the timetable for the consultation?

The closing date for responses is midday on Monday 18 July 2011.

An analysis of the responses will then be prepared and this will be considered by the council’s cabinet for a decision on August 2011. The transport policy for 2011/2012 will then be published and if the proposal is agreed, this would ensure that parents of post 16 students would be aware of the change before indicating their school preferences.