SIR – On Tuesday morning, I spoke at the meeting of Bradford Council’s Labour Executive to ask them to consider the special case for allowing discretion in applications for free school transport for Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Under the new plan, every child is entitled to receive free school transport in Burley-in-Wharfedale because all secondary schools are more than three miles away, but in practice they will only get help if they attend the nearest school.

Depending on where you live in the village, that might be Ilkley Grammar, Prince Henry’s or Guiseley School. Previous ‘discretion’ had allowed everyone to receive help.

Gerry Barker, a former policeman also spoke on villagers’ behalf, as he has organised a petition. Quite rightly, people are confused as to why, when all schools are three miles away, the Council would stop free transport to Ilkley Grammar when most children go there.

The answer is that a technicality allows them to do so and the Labour Executive chose to allow this to continue. I think their decision is mean-spirited and their pronouncement that the Council has to save money where it can is ridiculous in these circumstances.

Councillor Jackie Whiteley (Cons), Wharfedale Ward, c/o City Hall, Bradford