What we would like you to do
Over the next year, the Council will need to make tough decisions to balance next year’s budget due to Government cuts, inflation and increasing demand for services such as social care as more residents require support. This short survey is to help us find out what you think about our proposal to review provision of SEND transport support to learners aged 16 and over ('post-16 learners') in 2024-2025. Here's a summary of what we propose:
“We are proposing to consult on a small number of options to reduce the impact of this service on the council’s budget. The options being consulted on will be:
- Stop delivering this service completely from September 2024 for all post-16 students.
- Stop delivering this service from September 2024 for any eligible new post-16 students with SEND. Students currently in receipt of support will continue to receive this until their educational studies end.
- From September 2024, introduce a fixed sum of money for each eligible post-16 learner as a contribution to their educational travel costs.
- Make no changes to the current policy. The consultation is likely to take place early in the spring term 2024, with a decision from Cabinet in late spring or early summer 2024."
We are consulting on all our proposals between 30 November 2023 and 17 January 2024.
Please note that a full consultation on this proposal is likely to take place early in the spring term of 2024, with a decision from Cabinet in late spring or early summer 2024. We will post details of this here on Let's talk Newcastle Online once it begins.
Have your say by completing the short survey here: Your views on the review of the provision of SEND transport support to post-16 learners, or by emailing us at: letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk. We have also produced a PDF copy of our questions, which can be found at the bottom of the page and can be printed off, completed, and returned to us at: FREEPOST Let’s Talk if this is easier for you or someone you know.
Here is the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) for this proposal, a summary of what we propose to do, and the impact we expect it will have: Review of the provision of SEND transport support to post-16 learners 2024-2025. You can also find it attached to this consultation at the bottom of the page. Please do give us your views.
If you have questions
Please note that a full consultation on this proposal is likely to take place early in the spring term of 2024, with a decision from Cabinet in late spring or early summer 2024. We will post details of this here on Let's talk Newcastle Online once it begins.
Have your say by completing the short survey here: Your views on the review of the provision of SEND transport support to post-16 learners, or by emailing us at: letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk. We have also produced a PDF copy of our questions, which can be found at the bottom of the page and can be printed off, completed, and returned to us at: FREEPOST Let’s Talk if this is easier for you or someone you know.
Here is the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) for this proposal, a summary of what we propose to do, and the impact we expect it will have: Review of the provision of SEND transport support to post-16 learners 2024-2025. You can also find it attached to this consultation at the bottom of the page. Please do give us your views.
If you have questions
If you have any questions about this or you need the consultation materials in different formats, such as large print, you can email us at: letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk, call 0191 278 7878, or write to us at: FREEPOST Let’s Talk
What happens next
After the consultation closes, in February 2024, Cabinet will be asked to recommend the post-consultation budget to City Council. City Council will debate and vote on the budget at their meeting in March 2024. We will publish the final budget proposals, including a report on the consultation findings, on our website: Newcastle City Council. Thank you for giving us your views.
After the consultation closes, in February 2024, Cabinet will be asked to recommend the post-consultation budget to City Council. City Council will debate and vote on the budget at their meeting in March 2024. We will publish the final budget proposals, including a report on the consultation findings, on our website: Newcastle City Council. Thank you for giving us your views.
