Agenda item

3.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services which sought approval to consult on a review of discretionary Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport provision for the 2016/17 academic year.

DECISION

3.2       RESOLVED to (1) to approve consultation on the options set out in the report in order to reduce spend on the discretionary home to school/college budget from the start of the 2016/17 academic year;

(2) to approve, two parallel consultations over summer 2015; the first, on reducing the level of support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the second on removing travel support for post-16 students from low income families (LIF) and FE link transport; and

(3) to note that decisions on whether to proceed with these changes following the consultation final report and appropriate Scrutiny meetings, will be taken in the context of wider savings proposals by either the Lead Member or Cabinet in November 2015.

Reasons

3.3       It is anticipated that East Sussex County Council will need to reduce expenditure by £70- 90 million between 2016/17 and 2018/19 and all areas will need to be considered.