CHANGES to school transport provided for some pupils by Somerset County Council have gone out to public consultation.

If they go ahead, the changes would only affect pupils starting school for the first time and those changing schools, for example by moving from primary to secondary, and would take effect in September 2018.

The council currently spends around £11.5 million a year transporting roughly 9,500 pupils to schools across the county. The policy sets out the criteria for when children are eligible for financial assistance for their transport to schools, notably free transport.

The policy is reviewed every two years and the proposals being put forward would see the authority continue to meet all its legal requirements, but end discretionary parts of the policy that it has provided above and beyond – a step that many local authorities have already taken.

The proposed changes include:

* An end to free transport on grounds of religion of belief, unless the child qualifies under other parts of the policy.

* Free transport only being available from one registered address rather than providing it from both residences if parents live separately.

* More powers to withdraw free transport for bad behaviour.

* Specifying that the new Universal Credit will be acceptable evidence of eligibility on the grounds of low income status.

* Clarity that, if a late application results in a child being placed in a school which is neither their nearest or catchment school, it may take up to half a term before free transport is in place.

* A child will only be eligible for free transport on the grounds of a temporary medical condition if it is to their nearest or designated transport area school.

The consultation opened on Monday and runs until December 15. It can be completed online http://www.somerset.gov.uk/smartoffice/ Home or paper copies can be requested by emailing [email protected].