SNP group chief Chris McEleny has been accused of ‘grandstanding’ ahead of next year’s local government elections by vowing to block cuts to free school transport in Inverclyde.

Council leader Stephen McCabe says his rival’s stance is purely a ploy to win votes in May – and that it could ultimately be up to Councillor McEleny to decide on future bus provision for pupils as budgets continue to be squeezed.

Mr McCabe, who is in charge of the local Labour group, says he and his party have ‘consistently rejected’ cuts to free school transport.

His comments come after Gourock councillor Mr McEleny vowed that he and his party members will thwart attempts to reduce the eligibility criteria for pupils.

Mr McCabe said: “Councillor McEleny is grandstanding over the possible changes to school transport provision.

“There must be an election in the offing?

“He knows that the three SNP councillors on the education and communities committee don’t have the votes to block any changes.

“He also knows that Labour councillors have consistently rejected savings proposals on school transport from officers over the last nine years.”

Council officials are proposing to increase the eligibility limit for free travel for secondary students living two and a half miles away instead of the current two-mile limit.

For primary children, those living a mile and a half away would qualify.
The plans were recently put out to public consultation – a move agreed by the SNP – but group leader Mr McEleny says they will oppose any changes.

Councillor McCabe says there is no urgent need to implement the proposals but that may be revisited when it comes to balancing the books in years to come – when it could be the nationalists running the council.

Mr McCabe said: “While we agreed to putting the current proposals out to consultation – as did SNP councillors – we made it clear there is no financial imperative to make changes at this time.

“The new council elected in May will however face huge financial challenges.”