CHILDREN in Flintshire who do not attend their nearest school will no longer receive free transport.

Flintshire Council has identified a number of cases where pupils are getting free travel, despite falling outside national legislation. It includes those who attend religious and Welsh medium schools, but don’t live nearby.

Legally, the council only needs to provide free transport for secondary school pupils who live three miles or further from their nearest suitable school and two miles or more for primary schools.

The move has been estimated to save the authority about £290,000 once it is fully implemented from July 2020.

Parents will be given 12 months’ notice in order to make alternative travel arrangements.

Cllr Ian Roberts, the council’s cabinet member for education and youth, said: “This is a difficult situation as Flintshire, of course, wants to provide pupils with as much choice as possible, but in this current climate we also need to look at the most cost-effective and efficient ways of operating.

“Flintshire spends considerably more on school transport than other local authorities and, therefore, it is necessary to review our policy, given our financial situation.”

The council is also reviewing the subsidies it provides to bus companies, which could result in some services used by pupils who are not eligible being stopped.

In future those children would be allowed to travel at a reduced rate on school buses, which would have their capacity increased to accommodate them.

The authority is also proposing to remove free transport for pupils who receive it automatically because their older brother or sister also does.

Cllr Carolyn Thomas, cabinet member for Streetscene and transportation, said: “The Home to School Transport Policy will be applied strictly and siblings will not have an automatic entitlement to transport, even if transport is provided for an older sibling. Parents need to be aware that there will be a cost implication. Applications for schools are being returned now for September 2019 and parents need to know the current transport policy when making their choice.”

Where youngsters have been unable to secure a place at their nearest school, free transport will be provided to the next closest if the criteria is met.

The proposals will be discussed by Flintshire Council’s cabinet on Tuesday.