Last chance to have your say on school transport proposals 
Time is running out for people to give their views on county council proposals for changes to home to school transport.
The council is proposing to help those most in need as it looks to reduce its spending on home to school transport and create a clearer, fairer system. The consultation on these proposals closes on Friday, January 14th.
Parents can have their say at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/h2stransportreview There’s an online form to fill in or a questionnaire to download. Alternatively, you can e-mail us at h2stransportreview@gloucestershire.gov.uk Young people can tell us their views at www.facebook.com/meetingthechallenge 
Parents, young people and the wider community have also had the opportunity to give their feedback at drop-in sessions that took place throughout the county in November and December. A decision on the proposals will be made at the county council Cabinet meeting on February 2nd.
At present, the county council spends nearly £14million per year transporting around 10% (9,500) of the children and young people who travel to school and college each day. The current system funds transport for students from catholic schools and grammar schools, but only in certain parts of the county. This is at the discretion of the council and is not required by law.
The council is proposing to withdraw assistance for new primary school pupils attending catholic schools from 2011 and new secondary pupils attending catholic and grammar schools from 2012. This would not affect existing pupils who currently receive assistance, unless they change schools. 
The proposals also include a small number of changes to the way that transport is funded to those with Special Educational Needs, and changes to how post 16 transport is funded.
None of the proposals would affect those pupils who live more than three miles away from their nearest school or many who are from low-income families. They would continue to qualify for free transport under current legislation.
Cllr Jackie Hall, Cabinet Member for Schools, said; “We’re proposing these changes because we think that the current system has become inconsistent, over complicated and unsustainable.
“These are still only proposals though and we’ve spent the last few months finding out what people think of them and hearing their ideas. It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible, so if you have a view, there are still a few days left for you to take part in the consultation and lots of ways to get involved.”