Hertfordshire school transport cuts ‘will save �5m’
SCHOOL transport provision in Hertfordshire will be dramatically cut from next year, it has been agreed.
Hertfordshire County Council will provide a service only for students with a statutory right to transport to school from September 2012.
The scheme, which is expected to save between �5m and �6m a year from the council’s �25m school transport budget, was agreed by cabinet members on September 19.
Cllr Frances Button, executive member for education and skills, said: “In light of financial pressures on the council, we are faced with some tough choices.
“The council as a whole has already identified �139m of efficiency savings, which will contribute substantially to our overall savings target of �201m by 2014/15.
“In the difficult economic climate it’s vital that we continue to identify the best ways to use our resources.”
The county council currently provides discretionary travel for around 4,000 students.
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Following the changes, some students without a statutory entitlement will still be considered on an individual basis.
Those include looked after children, children with special educational needs and disabled students, as well as families facing financial hardship.
