Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Swift.

            There were no declarations of interest.

            The minutes of meeting held on 8 April 2013 were approved as a true and accurate record.

i) 23/04/12

ii) 18/06/12

iii) 24/09/12

iv) 02/12/12

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

                               i)      23/04/13

                               ii)     18/06/13

                               iii)    24/09/13

                               iv)    02/12/13

          The Committee received a yearly update report detailing the outcomes of the home to school transport appeals held during 2013.

          The Assistant Director, Education and Resources introduced the report and advised that 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 in the reviewing stage. The policy was affected by the Raising of the Participation Age (RPA), this being an interim policy until the main policy was reviewed, which would then apply to those aged 14-18.

          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 drawn from a pool of trained members, 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 2013, a total of 16 appeals had been held, 10 of which had been dismissed, three of which had been allowed and three having been withdrawn.

          Members debated the report and key points raised included:

·         The proposed changes to the Post 16 transport policy and the move away from an ad-hoc transport provision; and

·         The method of measuring the distances, this being ‘as the crow flies’.

            RESOLVED:

            The Committee noted the transport appeals held during 2013.

            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.