The council is seeking your feedback on proposed changes to our Home to School Transport Policy to establish a more financially sustainable transportation model for the future.

From 12 July until 23 August, you can provide us with feedback on three options being considered as part of our process to update the Home to School Transport Policy. 

If agreed, the changes will be implemented from September 2025. 

The council’s current policy exceeds the statutory requirements, so we are looking to align our provision closer to our legislative duties and those of other Local Authorities across Wales. With the cost of providing home to school transport services increasing annually, Monmouthshire County Council must consider whether to continue exceeding the national statutory requirements.

The Learner Travel Measure 2008 places a statutory duty on Local Authorities to provide free home to school transport for eligible learners. Local Authorities can also provide additional transport arrangements. These are known as discretionary arrangements. The council now needs to consider whether it can continue to afford providing discretionary transport.

The council seeks users’ and residents’ feedback on three options. They are: 

• Removal of transport for all learners who have a safe walking route and live within the statutory distances of two miles of their nearest suitable primary school (4-11 years old).
• Removal of transport for all learners who have a safe walking route and live within the statutory distances of three miles of their nearest suitable secondary school (11-16 years old).
• In instances where the council is unable to secure an external operator, or if it is the best financial option, parents will be offered a personal transport budget to transport their children to and from school. This proposal will apply to all, including Additional Learning Needs learners.

We welcome your feedback and encourage those potentially affected by the options to participate in the consultation and share your views. 

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Martyn Groucutt, said: “As a council, we seek your views on changes being considered to our Home to School Transport Policy. The options will allow the council to provide a more sustainable service. Annually, we are seeing the cost of the service increase, and due to the financial outlook for future years, we need to consider how we operate our service. I urge everyone who may be affected to take part in the consultation.

We look forward to receiving your feedback.” To take part in the survey and to find out more about the three options, visit: https://bit.ly/HometoSchoolConsultation