A SCHOOL bus service for Marston Green students will be spared from Solihull Council cuts for another year amid campaigning.
The service from Marston Green in the north of the borough to Heart of England School in Balsall Common is relied on by tens of students.
Conservative Bickenhill councillor Jim Ryan had claimed his colleagues had plans to scrap the service behind closed doors this year to save £20,000 – leaving many students without transport to school.
He says the decision was to be taken without consulting full council, the school or parents – while parents and students were on holiday.
But a council spokesperson says the contracted-out service is being saved for another academic year.
Coun Ryan told us: “This was a cruel attempt to cancel the bus service.
“They were going to go out to tender and leave Marston Green out.
“I was not going to allow that to happen. There will now be a proper consultation with all concerned.
“The decision was delegated to officers and that’s democratically wrong.
“No child should be denied their bus to school and their education to save a few thousand pounds.
“There was no chance for parents to protest against it.”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “The current contract which offers a term-time bus service from Marston Green to Heart of England School is coming to an end this term.
“However, this doesn’t mean the service is being cut.
“The council will continue to provide a bus service to and from the school throughout the 2019/2020 academic year.
“During this time a review will be taking place – this will help us come to a conclusion on the best way to support the children going forward.”
