A DECISION on whether to charge bus fares for parents who don’t choose their nearest secondary school will be deferred again.

In July, Oxfordshire County Council delayed a decision on whether to save £340,000 by charging for some home-to-school transport.

It was put back after it was announced the Government was reviewing its guidelines on charging for the service.

Cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said: “With each week that ticks by without any update it becomes less likely that we will be able to reconsult in September and then go to cabinet for decision in November.”

The council had been hoping to introduce the charges in September 2014, but will now have to wait until 2015 at the earliest.

Campaigners accused the council of failing to notify schools, governors and parents and not giving them enough time to respond. More than 1,300 people signed a petition opposing it.