South Kesteven district councillor Maureen Jalili (Lib Dem) tabled a question at last Thursday's full council meeting asking for the decision on not removing the time restrictions on bus passes to be justified.
The district council is the only one in Lincolnshire not to allow pensioners and registered disabled people to make early morning journeys. It is sticking with the statutory 9.30am to 11.30pm restrictions to find out the true costs of the scheme before holding a review.
But the question was referred to the resources policy and development group – which Coun Jalili, who is also mayor of Stamford, fears could take months to make its way to the council's cabinet agenda.
Council leader Coun Linda Neal (Con) said she is simply obeying the rules set out in the council's constitution.
Coun Jalili, who feels the issue should be discussed by full council, said: "It is a delaying tactic which I don't agree with.
"It is quite easy for other councils to agree in principle but ours isn't even going to look for the money full stop.
"So much money is going to be poured into Bourne and Grantham, I think it is unfair on the majority of elderly people in the district.
"Even if the policy development group do say yes, it can still be refused by the cabinet."
Coun Neal says the council's constitution states that questions are referred to a policy development group and that full council can only approve extra spending.
The leader could not say whether the matter will be discussed by the full council as it depends on the development group debate and says all members are able to have their say.
Coun Neal said: "It is not a delaying tactic but the way the constitution works.
"The rules are in the constitution. Even as leader I don't have the ability to ignore these rules as I open myself up to challenge.
"We have already agreed to review it, we are not saying no, never.
"We are committed to reviewing it and we will review it when we have got sound statistical information on which to base the work."
The Mercury has launched a campaign to get the district council to follow the example of the six other authorities and lift the time restriction on the bus passes.
Readers have rushed to support the campaign by sending in coupons, signing a petition in our offices. and signing online coupons.
Coun Jalili says the Stamford group of Liberal Democrats supports the campaign and is urging residents to send in the coupons and write to their district councillor.
The other Lincolnshire councils will pay £17,000 after the county council agreed to split the £120,000 costs. The authorities are due to ratify this decision in July.