PARENTS and carers affected by Dudley Council's proposal to stop free transport to the borough's specialist nurseries are being encouraged to attend meetings to have their say.

The council is consulting on removing the service from September in an attempt to cope with a continued reduction in government funding and save more than £200,000 per year.

Currently the council pays for 49 children with additional needs to be transported to specialist nurseries in the borough, although it is not legally required to do so.

The council will be meeting with key stakeholders, including families who receive the service, to talk through the proposals.

Councillor Tim Crumpton, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We understand that some people will have concerns in relation to the proposed changes and that’s why we want them to get involved and have their say. We have arranged a series of public meetings where current and future parents and carers are more than welcome.

“I’ve stated from the outset that we will offer support, and will be talking to all families both now and in the future. We don’t want to remove services that local people value but unfortunately we are being left little option but to look at these kinds of non-statutory services due to the continued reduction of our funding from the government.

"I will also be taking this up directly with the government in the very near future.”

He added: “We know that for some people this could be difficult and we are working hard behind the scenes at how we deliver the specialist nursery service across the borough.

"We will not allow any child to miss out on this vital educational service purely because of money.”

Meetings are being held at Saltwells Educational Development Centre in Netherton on February 3 at 5.30pm, February 4 at 2pm and February 18 at 10am.

There will also be a meeting at Insight House in Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, from 10am on February 5.

The consultation will run until Monday March 2.

Consultation document are available to view at www.dudley.gov.uk/about/directorates/children-services/consultation-documents.