A controversial decision to axe the bus service for Cumbrae pupils between Largs ferry slip and the new campus is set to be re-examined at a council call-in meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting is being held in public at 2pm on Tuesday at Cunninghame House, North Ayrshire Council, in Irvine.  

Cumbrae Community Council say the island feels ‘let down’ by North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet decision to axe the school bus service between Largs Pier and the soon to open new secondary school.

A petition has been set up to protest the decision which is available here.

The call in request, which was signed by Councillors Ferguson, Gallacher and Stephen, is in the following terms: "There was a commitment made to ensure the safe transportation of Island children when the Junior Secondary School closed in the 70’s ever since Cumbrae pupils have been transported by bus from Largs Ferry Terminal to Largs Academy.

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch has asked to speak at the scrutiny panel meeting and will give his own views of the subject.

The call-in said: "The children live more than 3 miles in total from Largs Academy. Island parents were promised this service would run when the new school opened. Finally, Cabinet agreed on the same day to put children and young people at the heart of everything the Council does – I would argue that this is contradictory policy if there is no bus provision for the children and young people of Cumbrae.

"Desired Outcome - I would like to see that the promises which have been made by the Council to the parents of Cumbrae are honoured and ensure that there is a bus provided from Largs ferry slip to the new Largs Academy when it is opened for the children and young people of Cumbrae."

The matter will go before the Scrutiny Panel at Tuesday's meeting.

The elected members who have submitted the call on will be invited to address the Audit and Scrutiny Committee to explain their request.

The appropriate Cabinet Member, accompanied by senior officers, will then be invited to clarify the reasons for the decision.

The committee will have an opportunity to ask questions of both parties and of those officers in attendance.

The committee will then debate the call in request and decide whether or not it agrees with the decision of the Cabinet. 

Where the committee does not agree with the decision of the Cabinet, the matter will be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet with recommendations from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for alternative action.

When the matter is considered by the Cabinet, the Chairperson or another member of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee will have the right to attend the Cabinet and speak in support of any recommendation.

In the event the Cabinet declines to accept the recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, the matter will be referred to the next ordinary meeting of the Council for determination. The decision of the Council will be final.