Cornwall Council is seeking the views of young people, parents and carers, schools and colleges and the wider public on potential changes to its Post 16 Transport Policy.

The Post 16 School Transport Policy sets out how and when the Council provides subsidised transport for young people aged 16-19 to attend school, college or another education establishment. 

Whilst young people are now required by law to be engaged in education, employment or training up to the age of 18, Cornwall Council does not have a statutory duty to provide home to school/college transport free of charge for learners aged 16 to 19 in the same way as it does for primary and secondary aged pupils up to the end of Year 11.

This means that the Council’s subsidised post-16 transport scheme is a discretionary provision.

The Council spent more than £13m providing school transport for children and young people last year, of which around £2.2m was spent on Post 16 transport. 

Now the authority, hit by cuts in government funding, is reviewing its policy and wants to hear public opinion.

The consultation continues until March 17.

The full consultation paper and details of how interested parties can give their views on the proposed changes can be found at www.cornwall.gov.uk/collegetransport