The county council looks set to push forward with plans to reduce free school transport for school children in Buckinghamshire in a bid to "make savings".

Bucks County Council has been accused of being “slow” to make changes to its home to school transport service, as talks continue over bringing its provision in line with the national legal requirement.

A report on Bucks County Council's website says the authority offers "some" transport that goes above statutory guidelines, and is "committed to making full cost recovery".

At a meeting of Bucks County Council’s finance, performance and resources select committee last week, cabinet member John Chilver said “more work needs to be done” to establish alternative transport options for parents and carers before any changes are made.

He said: “We need to do more work to understand the financial implications of this and establish alternative options for those parents and carers.

“It is a very sensitive area – we need to make sure there is full public consultation and engagement. I think we need more time really in which to consult and discuss and follow up the recommendations, but in principle we are looking to achieve savings in this area, and the intention is to work towards meeting national statutory guidelines but maybe in a more progressive way.”

Public consultations will need to take place with schools and parents before reductions are made, according to the county council.

Cllr David Martin said BCC has not “seen any movement to any plan whatsoever” and called for progress to take place so “people can plan their lives accordingly”.

The committee agreed to arrange for the cabinet member for education to, Mike Appleyard, to attend their next meeting with a plan outlining how the recommendations will be put into place.

The county council currently offers free school transport for children aged five to 16, who attend their nearest school and lives more than two miles from the school (if they are ages under eight), or three miles away from the school (if they are aged over eight).

Children unable to walk to school because they have special educational needs, have disability or mobility problems, or because there is no safe walking route may also be eligible for free transport.