IT will be easier to ban badly behaved youngsters from free school transport under proposed changes being discussed by Somerset County Council.

The authority is also looking into ending ferrying children to school for free on the grounds of religion or belief; only offering free transport from one registered address if parents live apart; and specifying that Universal Credit is acceptable evidence on the eligibility on the grounds of low income status.

County Hall is running a public consultation on the proposals - it can be completed here before Friday, December 15.

The council is looking at making savings to the £11.5 million annual bill for getting 9,500 pupils to schools for free across the county.

The policy is reviewed every two years and the proposals would see the authority continue to meet all its legal requirements, but end discretionary parts of the policy – a step many local authorities have already taken.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for children and families, said: "School transport is a huge operation and we review the policy regularly to make sure it complies with all the necessary legislation and guidance.

"We want a policy that is fair and applied consistently across the board.

"At a time of great pressure on finances, we also need to make sure our policies are affordable.

"We will of course always meet all or statutory requirements and before any decisions are made we want to hear as many views as possible, whether you use school transport or not."

If the proposals are adopted, they would take effect from next September.

Other changes being consulted on include clarity that if a late application results in a child being placed in a school which is neither their nearest or catchment school, it may take up to half a term before free transport is in place; a child will only be eligible for free transport on the grounds of a temporary medical condition if it is to their nearest or designated transport area school.

You can also apply for paper copies by e-mailing dreed@somerset.gov.uk.

If they go ahead, the changes would only affect pupils starting school for the first time and those changing schools, for example moving from primary to secondary.