DESPITE its much publicised and controversial investment strategy which Thurrock Council claim has pumped millions into its coffers, it is now seeking to save cash by charging the parents or carers of some special needs children for transport to school.

That is one of three cash-saving proposals put before councillors this evening's (Tuesday, 7 July) meeting of the council's children's services overview and scrutiny committee.

The council is also bidding to be able to force children whose families have to go into temporary accommodation to leave their existing schools and move to one nearer where they live so the council doesn't have to pay for their transport.

And that the council only offers free transport to families when there is no suitable school with a place available within the maximum walking distance from the child's home (two miles for pupils under the age of 8 and three miles for pupils over the age of 8).

The options are being put before councillors after the council carried out a consultation, revealed in a Thurrock Nub news story in February.

The council says that current primary pupil growth in the borough is "causing significant pressure on the statutory element of the Home to School Transport budget."

A report to the committee says "This is due to the fact that the Council is at times unable to place a pupil in a school within a three mile radius. In such cases, the Council has a statutory duty to transport the pupils involved and to bear the cost of the transport."

The change to policy of special needs children over 16 is outside that remit and is probably the most controversial. Councillors are being asked to approve "The implementation of a charging regime in respect of for transport to Post 16 facilities for pupils aged 16-25 with SEND. Pupils will be required to pay the full cost or make a contribution towards the cost of transport."

The council does say that the change to service is discretionary – possibly creating a means test situation for families.

Whatever the outcome of tonight's meeting, the final decision will be made by the council's ruling Conservative cabinet.

The current rules on eligibility for school transport can be found here..