School bus axe under scrutiny

THE controversial decision to axe discretionary free school buses at Warrington will be examined in detail at a Town Hall meeting.
Members of the borough council’s children, young people and skills overview and scrutiny committee will look the decision taken recently by the executive board to end discretionary home to school transport.
This follows the “calling in” of the decision by Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Mike Biggin (pictured).
The decision particularly affects residents of the Grappenhall and Thelwall areas, whose children attend Lymm High School.
Hundreds of youngsters will be affected – and in future parents will have to choose between paying for their own transport or sending their children to other schools, such as Sir Thomas Boteler CE High or Bridgewater High.
Council chiefs claim ending discretionary home-to-school transport will save the council about £180,000 a year.
But five councillors – Liberal Democrats Mike Biggin, Graham Welborn, Ian Marks and Peter Walker and Conservative Sheila Woodyatt – have “called in” the decision on the grounds there has been a lack of adherence to decision-making principles in that the decision was not proportionate to the desired outcome and because of a lack of, or inappropriate, consultation.
Members of the public are entitled to attend overview and scrutiny committees but are not allowed to speak at them.
Seating in the council chamber is, however, limited, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The meeting is being held on Wednesday November 7 at 6.30pm.
Information, agendas and minutes of all council meetings are available via www.warrington.gov.uk