Changes proposed for Westmorland and Furness school transport policies

Westmorland and Furness Council is inviting feedback on proposed changes to school transport eligibility and support policies as part of a public consultation.

Facing financial challenges due to increasing costs and demand, the council is examining discretionary provisions that go beyond statutory requirements set by the Department for Education.

Changes to these policies would impact new school admissions and transport applications from 19th September 2026, particularly for new Reception and Year 7 students starting from September 2027.

Additionally, charging for SEND transport support will begin for those starting Post 16 education in Year 12 from 1st September 2027.

The consultation documents and survey are available on the Westmorland and Furness Council's website, allowing individuals and stakeholders to share their views until Tuesday 21st April 2026.

Have Your Say

Residents can engage in the consultation by attending face-to-face drop-in sessions, participating in online meetings , or emailing their responses.

A feedback report detailing responses and subsequent policy decisions will be published in summer 2026.

Councillor Janet Battye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, emphasized the need to balance statutory services with discretionary elements amidst financial constraints.

"Our council, like many others, is operating in a challenging financial climate, as recently noted with our budget reductions from government funding," Councillor Battye said. "We must strike the right balance to meet the needs of our statutory services while reviewing discretionary elements."

Mil Vasic, Director of Children’s Services, reassured parents that current transport eligibility remains unchanged for existing recipients.

"We want to reassure parents and carers that no-one will lose what they currently receive in terms of home-to-school transport," Vasic said. "With rising transport costs, we have a duty to consider how we can deliver the service more sustainably in the future."

The council encourages parents, carers, pupils, schools, and partners to participate in the consultation to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.