The Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 11 May 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on the Post 16 Transport Policy, following a consultation period, and an update on the standards and quality of schools across Hertfordshire.

Post 16 Transport Policy Consultation Responses

A key item scheduled for discussion is the outcome of the consultation on Hertfordshire County Council's Post 16 Transport Policy. The report pack indicates that the council is considering amending its existing policy for 16 to 18-year-olds accessing education and training. The proposed change involves introducing Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs) as the standard offer for most eligible young people, with contracted transport reserved for exceptional cases. This shift aims to achieve cost savings, which are intended to be reinvested into SEND services.

The consultation, which ran from 18 February to 19 April 2026, received 1660 responses, with a significant proportion from parents and carers of SEND pupils. While a majority of respondents expressed reservations about receiving a PTB, a notable percentage indicated willingness or uncertainty. Concerns raised during the consultation included the calculation of PTBs, confidence in public transport, the potential detrimental impact on families, and a perceived shift of responsibility from the council to parents. The report pack details how these concerns are being addressed, including plans for additional publicity about PTBs, the availability of a travel training programme, and a two-stage appeals process for those who believe a PTB is not appropriate.

The council is being asked to recommend to Cabinet that the Post-16 Transport to Education and Training Policy be amended for the 2026/27 academic year, with PTBs becoming the standard offer. No changes are proposed to existing eligibility criteria. The report also outlines financial implications, forecasting potential cost savings through the move to PTBs, and details the proposed calculation of PTBs, including an enhancement for those with higher-level needs. Transitional arrangements are also proposed to minimise the impact on existing service users.

Standards and Quality in Hertfordshire Schools

The meeting agenda also includes a report providing an overview of the performance and standards of all schools in Hertfordshire, including academies. The data presented covers inspection outcomes and academic results for the academic year September 2024 to August 2025. The report pack notes typographical errors in the data presented on page 8 of the report, specifically within the data table concerning KS4 (English and Maths 4+). Officers highlighted the Best Start in Life programme and the work of Herts for Learning (HfL) in driving school improvement.

Other Topics for Discussion

The agenda also lists the following items for discussion:

• Minutes: To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 March 2026.
• Public Petitions: An opportunity for members of the public to present petitions relevant to the panel's remit. At the time of the agenda's publication, no petitions had been received.
• Other Part I Business: Any urgent public business that the Chair agrees warrants consideration before the next meeting.

The meeting is scheduled to be held virtually. The agenda and reports pack are available online.