Purpose

To agree from the academic year 2023/24 to

Increase the Travel Assistance Mileage Allowance rate (for eligible
pupils where there is not a special transport need) from 25p to 45p
per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile above 10,000
miles

Backdate increased payment rates from 1 September 2023 for existing
claims;

Maintain the Personal Travel Assistance Budget rate (for eligible
pupils where there is a special transport need) at 60p per
mile;

Make a Personal Travel Assistance Budget the first offer of support
(where appropriate) for those eligible to SEN post 16 travel
assistance.

Content

1. The mileage-based rates paid to parents of
eligible pupils to make their own home to school (and college)
travel arrangements have been reviewed.

2. Mileage-based payments help reduce dependency on the county
council and provide flexibility for families. For the county
council, they require less administrative work and, overall, would
be more cost effective than procuring contracted transport.

3. An increase in the Travel Assistance Mileage Allowance rate,
where there is not a special transport need, is recommended as it
has not increased for over 15 years. The recommended rate is 45p
per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile above 10,000
miles from 1 September 2023. Based on payments for 224 pupils, the
additional cost of the increase in 2023/24 is c£215k, which
would be offset by any savings made through increased uptake by
parents.

4. It was recommended to maintain a higher Personal Travel
Assistance Budget (PTAB) rate of 60p per mile - paid to c95 pupils
- where there is a special transport need.

Alternative options considered

A number of options were considered with
reference to the rates offered by other local authorities and HMRC
rates.