HAMPSHIRE councillors are to vote on whether the controversial decision to scrap free transport for certain schoolchildren should be reviewed.

Several members of the Children and Young People Select Committee requested the decision, made on May 9, should be “called-in”.

Committee councillors would then vote on whether the policy should be sent back to the cabinet member for education, Keith Mans, who would in turn re-consider the decision.

This meeting would take place on May 25.

As reported, the new plans, which will come into effect in September, would see nursery children with special needs or disabilities refused the service, and teenagers older than 16 with the same needs forced to pay.

From September 2019, it was agreed that free transport for reception-age children would also be scrapped until they are of compulsory school age (the term after their fifth birthday), and, from their child’s eighth birthday, parents would be expected to take their kid to school if they live within three miles.

Transport will still continue for those who were eligible, but costs of up to £1,330 a year could arise for those who aren’t.

The cuts would save £1.54 million a year, a minor but significant amount as the authority tries to close an anticipated £140 million budget shortfall by April 2019.

Liberal Democrat opposition councillors voiced strong concern over the plans, with one labelling the decision as “shameful”.

But, others argued the cost cutting was needed.