A senior council figure has told parents she is "very sorry" for sending a letter to parents which caused a "great deal of anxiety". 

Oxfordshire parents said they were left feeling “anxious and stressed” after 235 families received a letter in January which informed them that the withdrawal of Spare Seats Scheme routes would “significantly” reduce the number of seats available on school buses.

The scheme allows parents who do not qualify for free home-to-school transport to pay for seats on buses where there is space.

READ MORE: Spare Seats Scheme: Oxfordshire parents hit out at council

Since Conservative councillor Eddie Reeves put forward a motion to discuss the scheme in the county council meeting on Tuesday, council leader Liz Leffman has told the Oxford Mail she is “very sorry” for the “great deal of anxiety” the letter caused parents.

Ms Leffman said: “I am more than happy to re-iterate the apology that councillor Liz Brighouse delivered at full council for the nature of the letter sent in January.

“I recognise that the letter caused those parents who received it a great deal of anxiety, for which I am very sorry.

“We are committed to providing safe transport to school, and we continue to work on this and to be in dialogue and engagement with parents.”

The council has previously stated they have “not withdrawn the spare seats scheme overall” and promised to “continue to be in constructive dialogue and engagement” with the 235 families.

This apology comes after parents accused Ms Leffman and Ms Brighouse of not “engaging” with what they were saying in Tuesday’s council meeting.

After telling the council that withdrawing the scheme would have a “devastating effect” on her family, Charlotte Cusworth from Chiselhampton said she was “wasn’t impressed with Liz Brighouse on her phone”.

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Another parent, Peter Walker, also expressed his disappointment with Ms Brighouse and Ms Leffman’s conduct in the meeting.

He said: “Liz Brighouse and Liz Leffman weren’t actively involved in listening to what I was saying.

“They heard what I said but I’m not sure they were listening."

Both Ms Leffman and Ms Brighouse have disputed the suggestions they were not listening to what parents were saying.

They said: “We heard Charlotte’s speech loud and clear along with those from the other parents who came along to the meeting of full council yesterday.

“All councillors were impressed with the articulate way the speech was delivered and we took note of everything that was said."

READ MORE: Oxfordshire parents accuse council of 'democratic denial'

Ms Leffman added: “Speakers were heard respectfully, and the issues raised registered with those at the meeting.”

Ms Brighouse has said she was using her phone to take notes and follow the agenda.

At the point Ms Cusworth was speaking, Ms Brighouse has claimed she was checking the criteria in relation to the extended rights to free transport in relation to children on Universal Credit.