Tories under attack over stance on student travel

Jul 5 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

CONSERVATIVE councillors have come under fire for questioning a decision to axe controversial transport charges for Northumberland A-level and college students – after strongly supporting the move in their recent election manifesto.

A week ago the county council’s new Liberal Democrat administration agreed to fulfil the party’s manifesto pledge to restore free bus travel for hundreds of post-16 students who live more than three miles from their place of study.

The Lib Dem executive agreed to abolish the current £360 annual charge this year, despite warnings that it could cost the authority between £792,000 and £1.3m a year extra.

Yesterday it was revealed the decision has been called in for further examination by the council’s strategic services overview and scrutiny committee – a request supported by Conservative councillor John Riddle, vice-chairman of the committee.

At the same time, fellow Tory county councillor David Towns questioned the financial consequences of what he calls the “populist” decision.

The Conservatives’ literature for May’s county council elections supported the party’s commitment to getting rid of the post-16 charges.

Yesterday Lib Dem county councillor Steven Bridgett said: “All the Tory election leaflets promised to abolish post-16 transport charges, and I don’t remember seeing an asterix next to that saying it was dependent on the money. If you make election pledges you should follow them through, and I can’t believe the Tories are now calling the decision in.”

Coun Riddle, who represents the rural Bellingham ward, denied he has done a U-turn by supporting the call in for scrutiny. “I was one of the first people to call for free post-16 school transport, because it is an issue which hits my area very badly.

“My main concern is where this extra money is coming from and what is the real cost to other services.”

The decision to abolish the charges will be discussed by the scrutiny committee on Tuesday.