PARENTS of disabled children have expressed concern after Bury Council changed its policy affecting how their youngsters get to school.

The council spends £1,289,000 a year on getting disabled children to and from school.

Legislation introduced in 2014 means the council’s current policy is outdated so town-hall bosses decided at a cabinet meeting on October 19 to update it — but some parents are unhappy.

Such was their strength of feeling that the cabinet deferred the matter in September for a month so the council could consult with parents via Bury Parents’ Forum, but dissent remains.

The council says the policy change will give families more flexibility and says it is necessary to ensure it does not overspend its budget, but parents who spoke at the meeting remain unconvinced.

Before the change, disabled children in respite care would automatically get free transport. Now, parents could be made to foot the bill.

Parents are also concerned that if council reviews of children’s needs have decreased, transport could be withdrawn or changed.

Louise Heyhurst said: “My child’s review is in two weeks and what will happen is a huge worry.”

Sarah Martin, whose child attends Elms Bank Specialist Arts College in Whitefield, said: “We want to know who is going to determine the eligibility criteria?

“What is to stop someone saying a service that was free yesterday will not be free tomorrow?”

Kim Cassidy, who also has a child at Elms Bank and another at Millwood Primary Special School in Radcliffe, said: “The impact of this policy change on my family will be huge.”

Another parent, Rosemary Williams, said: “What concerns us is that the council is saying it will only provide the transport that it thinks is necessary, but its idea of ‘necessary’ could be different to ours.”

Bury Council leader Cllr Rishi Shori said: “We have listened to a wide range of opinions from parents tonight and understand people’s views.

“This is still an ongoing process with ongoing engagement and we are focused on in ensuring nobody is unduly affected by this change.”

The council’s executive service’s director Mark Carriline said changes parents unhappy with individual decisions have two appeal processes open to them.

Visit tinyurl.com/hometransportbury to read the council’s report on the change of policy.