CONTROVERSIAL cuts in support for school pupils with additional support needs by Argyll and Bute Council are set to be removed from the public budget consultation, the Advertiser understands. 

As revealed in the Advertiser, the council proposed to cut help for vulnerable children by 45 per cent as part of plans to make between £21 million and £26 million of savings over the next three years.

The suggestion to reduce the additional support needs (ASN) budget is one of 145 included in the Services Choices document.

However, the Advertiser has learned the council is likely to u-turn and remove the option from the consultation during a full council meeting taking place at Kilmory council chambers today (Thursday).

Despite the likely removal of the proposal, one Helensburgh mum, who did not want to be named, said it was “disgraceful” the council could backtrack after to weeks of uncertainty for affected parents.

She said: “I think it is terrible they have put families through this. It’s hard enough bringing up a child with special needs, the amount of stress is very high and the council don’t need to add extra stress to it by talking about cuts.”

The local authority outlined proposed cuts to the ASN budget in early October – sparking outrage from parents and families.

A protest was held at a full council meeting in October by parents against the cuts. At the meeting, concerns were raised about the council’s ability to fulfil its legal obligation in regards to support for those with ASN, however officers squashed these concerns.

Papers to be discussed by elected members today will ask councillors to consider whether the option “should be removed” from a consultation on the cuts.

However, if the cut goes ahead, with the budget to be considered at the council’s meeting in February, it would save the local authority £1.37 million.

Councillors will consider the issue of ASN services “early within the process” in order to “avoid a lengthy period of uncertainty for parents”.

The report states: “The council is aware of significant public interest in the decisions taken around ASN services and this report updates progress in the light of this interest.

“The recommendations arising from this report are intended to provide assurance to parents of children with ASN and the wider public.”

The SNP council group agreed to vote for the removal of the option, calling it an “emotive and distressing issue”.

Helensburgh Central councillor James Robb and SNP party members were previously critical of the budget option at a special meeting of the council in October meeting, however the budget consultation motion was passed.

Cllr Robb said: “I hope the council leader and all his followers will have the decency to apologise to all the families who have been put through all the unnecessary stress and worry of the last few months.”

Cllr Gary Mulvaney said: "We gave a commitment at the last council meeting that we would go out to consultation on the possible savings.

"Because of the sensitivities we sad we would look at the ASN review at an early stage. We are aware of the concerns parents and those affected have got with the ASN proposals. We said we would look at it and that is what we will do."

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said: “A paper will be considered by the council on Thursday. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”