TODAY was set to see a decision made on alterations to council payments for buses to school. A late change has delayed that decision, but the debate is set to continue with the campaign against the changes growing steadily, writes political reporter FREDDIE WHITTAKER.

CAMPAIGNERS against one of the most controversial policies announced by County Hall in recent years will fight on despite a decision to defer the cabinet ruling.

Members of the Oxford School Bus Action Group (OSBAG) have pledged to carry on raising money for legal action and gathering signatures against the policy.

Almost 2,000 people responded to the original consultation on the plans, and a petition against them has more than 4, 844 signatures.

Last week residents of Kennington, one of the areas which will be most affected, queued to get into a public meeting about the issue.

Opponents of the initiative, which will save £340,000 a year, say the consultation has been confusing, the council’s message disjointed and the cost of implementing the scheme played-down.

OSBAG spokesman Andrew Baud said opponents would continue to prepare to fight revised plans.

He said: “Nothing will stop in terms of fund-raising or the petition, and we will keep an eagle eye on the council.”

He added that legal action was still being considered by campaigners, and would be used if any new policies announced were considered to be unlawful.

He said: “I think a judicial review is certainly an option we will be exploring. We will be waiting to hear what the Government announces in terms of new guidelines.

“However, it’s important that the council is aware that their actions are under very close scrutiny.”

Since the proposals were announced in early June, the council, and in particular its cabinet member for education, Melinda Tilley, have come under fire.

Campaigners say comments made by Mrs Tilley since the announcement have undermined the first consultation. She admitted the council would have to look at the scheme again and accepted the authority may have got it wrong.

Mrs Tilley said she would not comment on the accusations levelled at her.

Council leader Ian Hudspeth has defended Mrs Tilley, and said any legal action at this stage would be premature.

He said: “It’s too early to talk about what may and may not happen. I think calls for people to resign are unfounded and premature.

“We consider that we have gone about the consultation and proposals in the correct manner, so for people to be speaking to lawyers and talking about judicial reviews is premature.”

With the scheme now kicked into the long grass by the change of Government guidance, this argument has not reached its full conclusion.