A decision on free education services has been left in the hands of Conwy County.

Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, tabled a question in the Welsh Assembly asking the first minister, Carwyn Jones whether the government was prepared to amend the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 so post-16 education transport was included in the funding.

However Mr Jones said while the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 outlined guidelines for educational transport services it was down to local authorities to deliver the service how they saw fit.

Replying to Mrs Finch-Saunders' question, he said: "The Learner Travel Measure (Wales) 2008 sets out the duties on local authorities regarding transport for learners including providing free transport based on age, distance and aptitude criteria for learners of statutory school age.

"Local authorities are able to make additional discretionary transport arrangements for learners in their areas.

"Responsibility for effective delivery of services rests with local authorities.

"The pressures on budgets mean it is more important than ever that local authorities must consider how they can best use their resources and work with others to deliver longer term efficiencies so that they can continue to deliver services to their citizens."

Mrs Finch-Saunders' question follows Conwy County Borough Council's (CCBC) recent public consultation on possible changes to the services in the area.

Currently council offer free transport to pupils over the age of 16 who are attending school or designated colleges.

Under new proposals families could be required to pay up to £240 a year for the same service or the free education transport could be stopped all together, forcing families to find their own way to school or college.

The removal of the service entirely would see the council net £420,000 worth of savings from not paying for the free transport.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said she was "seriously disappointed" at the Mr Jones' response and decision not to help keep free education transport in the area.

She said: “The consultation on whether Conwy County Borough Council should continue to provide free post-16 educational transport has caused much concern amongst constituents.

“In response, I raised the matter Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister. Unlike the Council, his Welsh Government could make the provision of travel arrangements mandatory, and provide extra finance to every local authority across Wales so that they can meet the expense of such reasonable policy.

“Sadly, the First Minister has failed again, this time, on school transport.

“Going forward, it seems that no support will be coming from the Welsh Government in the short term.

"More so, the consultation will go before the scrutiny committee on 25 September 2018, and then Cabinet on 9 October 2018.

"Importantly, if any changes are agreed, they will be implemented in September 2020."