St Richards - free transport latest

Pupils are given free transport where the distance is over three miles and the child or parent is of that faith.

A public consultation asked whether the arrangements were fair.

A cabinet decision was due to be made in May, but director of children's services, Matt Dunkley, has asked for further discussion with the churches.

"We have listened carefully to the representations made during the consultation and hope to find a solution that is acceptable both to the church authorities and ourselves.

"For that reason I am recommending that the cabinet meeting on 1 May defers making a decision," he said.

Frank Myers, of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Catholic Schools Service, and Jeremy Taylor, of the Anglican Diocese of Chichester, both welcomed the opportunity for further discussion.

Any changes to the current arrangements would take effect from September 2008.