Controversial cuts to support for school pupils with additional support needs have been removed from the public budget consultation.

Argyll and Bute Council had proposed to slash the budget for providing help to vulnerable children by 45 per cent as part of plans to save between £21 million and £26 million over the next three years.

Councillors at a full council meeting on Thursday (yesterday) performed a U-turn and removed the option.

The move has been criticised as "a tactic" by Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell.

Councillor Rory Colville, policy lead for Education and Lifelong Learning moved the removal of the 45 per cent proposed service reduction.

He told the Advertiser: “We have listened to public concerns and taken the efficiencies identified by the review into ASN care as an opportunity to take a different approach to making the savings the council must deliver. 

"We are committed to supporting all our pupils, and would clearly have continued to meet all statutory requirements in terms of ASN care, even if the savings option had gone ahead. 

"We are pleased though to be able to take a different approach, in line with the views of the families who have contacted us on behalf of their children.”

Argyll & Bute Parents Against Council Cuts (ABPACC) have campaigned since the proposal was originally outlined two months ago.

A spokeswoman for the group said parents were relieved, but angry.

She also said: "We have all been incredibly stressed and upset by this entire experience."

Mr Russell said it was "an open secret" the administration had been talking about the change, further claiming they knew they would withdraw the proposals before consultation had even started.

He added: "This is more a tactic than a U-turn. Dick Walsh may think he is now Santa, but in reality he remains Scrooge.

"Many families were deeply worried about the effects that these cuts would have on their children so they will be pleased too.

"But they should never have been put in this position as much of what was suggested was illegal and could not have been implemented without challenge in the courts.

"Accordingly what has taken place is nothing less than a cynical and discreditable manipulation of the voters in general, and the vulnerable in particular."

Nearly 2,000 young people across Argyll and Bute require ASN support - around 18 per cent of school pupils.