Agenda item

6.1

Verbal Appeals KE/LO05 and KE/LO06

6.1.1

In attendance were the appellant and Julie Pryor (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, People Services, submitted reports and commented upon two cases where the parent had appealed against the administrative decision made by the Executive Director with regard to the refusal to grant home to school travel bus passes (Case Nos.KE/LO05 and KE/LO06).

6.1.4

Julie Pryor explained the Stage 1 review and Stage 2 appeals process regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  Ms. Pryorinformed the Committee of the reasons why the request for a home to school travel pass had been refused at Stage 1.

6.1.5

The appellant explained to the Committee the reasons for the request for a home to school travel pass for his children.

6.1.6

In response to questions raised by Members, the appellant stated that the three qualifying schools for his children were too far away or inaccessible, especially during inclement weather.  He said that he lived in a different part of the city when he applied for the school and although not the catchment school, was closer than where he lived now.  The appellant stated that he had applied for places at schools closer to his home but had been informed that the schools were full.  On investigation, it had been found that no applications had been received by the Admissions Authority.

6.1.7

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellant left the meeting to enable the Committee to consider the evidence.

6.1.8

RESOLVED: That the 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 school that the pupils are requesting passes for are not one of the three qualifying schools (KE/LO05 and KE/LO06).

6.2

Verbal Appeal KI/EC02

6.2.1

In attendance were the appellants and Julie Pryor (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, People Services, submitted a report and commented upon a case where the parent 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.K1/EC02).

6.2.4

Julie Pryor explained the Stage 1 review and Stage 2 appeals process regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  Ms. Pryor informed the Committee of the reasons why the request for a home to school travel pass had been refused at Stage 1.

6.2.5

The appellants explained to the Committee the reasons for the request for a home to school travel pass for their child.

6.2.6

In response to questions raised by Members, the appellants stated that their child had been allocated a school but following an induction day at that school, he became very upset and following appeal, was granted a place at his current school where his peer group from primary school also attend.  The Committee were informed that the zero fare bus pass had been granted in error the previous academic year, as were a number of other applications.

6.2.7

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

6.2.8

RESOLVED: That the appeal 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 school that the pupil is requesting a pass for is not one of the three qualifying schools (KI/EC02).

6.3

Verbal Appeal – UTC OP01

6.3.1

The appellant in this case had indicated that they wished to attend the hearing, however, after reasonable time had elapsed, The Committee agreed to defer the case and offer the appellant the opportunity to attend at a future date.

6.4

Written Appeal – SO03

6.4.1

The Executive Director, People Services, 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.

6.4.2

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

6.4.3

RESOLVED: That the appeal 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 school that the pupil is requesting a pass for is not their catchment school/nearest suitable school (Case No.SO03).