Agenda item

6.1

Verbal Appeals- Case Nos. KIED1 and KIED2

6.1.1

In attendance were the appellants and Tracy Reid and Amanda Dale (Customer Services).

6.1.2

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked attendees to introduce themselves.  He then outlined the procedure which would be followed during the meeting.

6.1.3

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted reports and commented upon two cases where parents had appealed against the administrative decisions made by the Executive Director with regard to the refusal to grant home to school travel bus passes (Case Nos. KIED1 and KIED2).

6.1.4

Amanda Dale explained the Stage 1 and Stage 2 appeals criteria regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  She informed the Sub-Committee of the reasons why the applications had been refused at Stage 1 and then the subsequent refusal of the appeals at Stage 2.

6.1.5

The appellants explained to the Committee the reasons for the requests for home to school travel passes for their two children.

6.1.6

In response to questions from Members, the appellants stated that due to problems of bullying and harassment in their local area, they had taken the decision to remove their children from the area for their own safety.  The appellants feel that taking their children to a local school would be too disruptive for them and that they have tried on many occasions to be rehoused away from where they live at present.

6.1.7

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellants left the meeting to enable the Sub-Committee to consider the evidence.

6.1.8

RESOLVED: That the appeals be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional family circumstances in the cases (Case Nos. KIED1 and KIED2).

6.2

Verbal Appeal – Case No.ND1

6.2.1

In attendance were the appellant and Tracy Reid and Amanda Dale (Customer Services).

6.2.2

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked attendees to introduce themselves.  He then outlined the procedure which would be followed during the meeting.

6.2.3

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted a report and commented upon a case where parents had appealed against the administrative decision made by the Executive Director with regard to the refusal to grant a home to school travel bus pass (Case No.ND1).

6.2.4

Amanda Dale explained the Stage 1 and Stage 2 appeals criteria regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  She informed the Sub-Committee of the reasons why the application had been refused at Stage 1 and then the subsequent refusal of the appeal at Stage 2.

6.2.5

The appellant explained to the Committee the reasons for the request for a home to school travel pass for her child.

6.2.6

In response to questions raised by Members, the appellant stated that she is facing increasing living costs and is really struggling to afford the bus fare for her child.  She has asked whether it would be possible for the child weekly bus pass available for use on the main bus operators, could be used on all bus operators within the City, which, in her child’s case, would be more affordable.

6.2.7

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellants left the meeting to enable the Sub-Committee to consider the evidence.

6.2.8

RESOLVED: That the appeal be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional financial circumstances in the case (Case No.ND1).

6.3

Written Appeals

6.3.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted reports and commented upon six cases where parents had appealed against the administrative decisions made by the Executive Director with regard to the refusal to grant home to school travel bus passes.

6.3.2

The Committee gave consideration to all the supporting information and evidence provided by the pupils’ parents and, arising therefrom, it was:-

6.3.3

RESOLVED: That (a) four appeals be not upheld on the grounds that there are no exceptional circumstances demonstrated, and having regard to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy, the distance from the home address of the pupils to the school for which they are requesting a pass for is under the statutory walking distance (Case Nos. PAAC1, PAAC2, PAAC3 and ACHI1); and

(b)  two appeals be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional educational and family circumstances in the cases (Case Nos. BD1 and BIR1).