Councillors have agreed to hold public talks about cuts to free bus passes for pupils going to and from faith schools.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet has agreed a consultation can run from February 2 to March 27 ahead of any decision being made.

Free bus passes are handed out to pupils at faith schools if they are more than two miles away for primary age children or three miles away for secondary age pupils.

But it’s likely to be met by opposition with thousands signing a petition opposing the idea.

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “In our budget consultation 69% of those responding felt that changing this policy was a good or OK idea, so we are now developing this further and want to consult specifically on this.

“It is right we hold a consultation because this is something that affects or could affect children’s education and it’s right we give parents the time to respond.”

He added that any decisions will only be made after assessing all the feedback from the consultation.

Kirklees Council is not required by law to provide funding for school transport for pupils attending faith schools and uses its discretionary powers to fund bus passes for 456 pupils.

The subsidy costs Kirklees Council £116,000 every year. However, the saving will be £111,000 as some pupils will still be eligible as they are from low income families which is a statutory duty for Kirklees Council.

The headteachers of All Saints in Bradley and St John Fisher in Dewsbury have joined forces to urge councillors to re-think the proposal, saying it will impact on Catholic education.