STEVE DOWNES Students and members of the public will get the chance to have their say on controversial plans to increase college travel costs in Norfolk.

STEVE DOWNES

Students and members of the public will get the chance to have their say on controversial plans to increase college travel costs in Norfolk.

A series of meetings have been set up at high schools and colleges to debate the proposed 50pc rise in travel to college costs for the majority of over-16s.

Norfolk County Council's Conserv-ative ruling group wants to introduce the hike - about £100 per student per year - as well as charging youngsters with learning difficulties and halving the current 100pc concession for those from low-income backgrounds.

Council leaders have defended the proposals, saying they are equivalent to "one pint of beer a week" and would save the county nearly £900,000 a year as it wrestles with a multi-million pound funding gap.

Student consultation sessions are at: Easton College, June 14, 12.30pm; College of West Anglia, King's Lynn, June 19, 12 noon; Paston College, North Walsham, June 21, 12.30pm; Shering-ham High, June 22, 12.20pm; Hamond's High, Swaffham, June 23, 1.20pm; Smithdon High, Hunstanton, June 26, 12.30pm; Attleborough High Sixth Form Centre, July 4, 1.30pm; East Norfolk College, Gorleston, July 6, 1pm.

Public meetings are at: Rosemary Musker High, Thetford, June 21, 5.30pm; Wymondham High, June 22, 6pm; Norwich City College, June 26, 6pm; Fakenham Sixth Form College, June 27, 6pm; Hobart High, Loddon, July 10, 6pm; College of West Anglia, July 11, 6pm; Paston College, July 13, 5.30pm; Aylsham High, July 14, 6pm; East Norfolk College, July 17, 6pm.

The increased fees would take effect from the the 2007/8 school year.