Faith school bus cuts show Wiltshire’s Conservatives are determined not to listen to the public

At this time of great difficulty in the public finances, Wiltshire's Liberal Democrats have been clear in the need to make large savings in local government. But the loss of some of these services can have a big effect on local people's lives, so consultation with those involved is more essential than ever.

With the cuts to faith school buses, Wiltshire's Conservatives have made tough cuts much harder to bear, by refusing to talk with those affected.

Jon Hubbard has said "At yesterday's council meeting we heard an impassioned speech by the chair of governors of a Wiltshire school who spoke of the impact of removing children from their school part way through their education "This is entirely compatible with what we have been saying from the start on this matter. Whilst we must look to find savings, and sometimes finding these savings means making tough choices, we must also be mindful of the impact of these changes.

"I asked council yesterday to ensure that the cabinet meeting where these decisions will be made would be held at a time and place, preferably an evening, where both parents and teachers can attend to make their voices heard. The Conservatives refused this entirely reasonable request.

"At July's cabinet meeting I will be calling on the Conservative Administration that if they must make these cuts, they should be phased in so that no child currently attending a school should be forced out. We must not destroy children's education in our rush to identify cuts at any cost