Agenda and minutes

Nomination of Chairman: Councillor Holdich was nominated as Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Casey, Elsey, Goodwin, North, Fletcher, Saltmarsh and Swift.

Councillor Thacker was in attendance as a nominated substitute.

At this point Members must declare whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, or other interest, in any of the items on the agenda, unless it is already entered in the register of members’ interests or is a “pending notification “ that has been disclosed to the Solicitor to the Council. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

            There were no declarations of interest.

            The minutes of meeting held on 10 November 2011 were approved as a true and accurate record.

i)                    23/01/12

ii)                  04/07/12

iii)                12/11/12

iv)                05/12/12

v)                  18/12/12

vi)                20/02/13

            The following minutes, from the Sub-Committee hearings held between January 2012 and February 2013, were approved as true and accurate records:

                               i)      23/01/12

                               ii)     04/07/12

                               iii)    12/11/12

                               iv)    05/12/12

                               v)     18/12/12

                               vi)    20/02/13

          The Committee received a yearly update report detailing the outcomes of the home to school transport appeals held during 2012.

          The Council was required to have in place a policy for home to school transport for those children aged 4-16 and for those children attending a school or college for post 16 education.

          The main policy for those children aged 4-16 had been reviewed and consulted upon and finally approved in November 2012 for implementation in January 2013. It was to be noted however, that all appeals outlined within the report had been held under the terms of the previous policy.          The policy for post 16 was required to be reviewed annually and was currently being drafted.

          The Transport Policy contained a provision for those dissatisfied with being turned down for home to school transport. This enabled individuals (the appellant(s)) to take their case to appeal, appeals being administered and organised by the Council’s legal Department.

          An Appeal Panel consisted of three Councillors, with a Children’s Services Officer presenting the case for the refusal of home to school transport. The appellant(s) also had the opportunity to speak to put their case forward against the refusal of home to school transport.

          The Committee was advised that during 2012, a total of 12 appeals had been held, nine of which had been dismissed and three of which had been allowed.

              RESOLVED:

            The Committee noted the transport appeals held during 2012.

            Reason for Decision:

            The report was presented to the Committee to ensure it was informed and kept up to date with the outcomes of transport appeals made under the policies in place at the time.