Agenda item

6.1

Verbal Appeals

6.1.1

In attendance were the appellants 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 hearing.

6.1.3

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted a report and commented upon two cases where the 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 for their two children (Case Nos. FO/VA1 and FO/VA2).

6.1.4

Amanda Dale explained the Stage 1 and Stage 2 appeals criteria regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy, and informed the 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 request for home to school travel passes for their children. 

6.1.6

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the appellants stated that, as well as the walking route being very dangerous, with their children having to cross a number of busy roads, including some without pedestrian crossings, the route was also very hilly.  They added that their eldest child used to walk to school, but now assisted her younger sister on the tram and bus. 

6.1.7

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellants 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 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, and is within a designated Safe Walking Route (Case Nos. FO/VA1 and FO/VA2).

6.2

Written Appeal

6.2.1

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. L/F1).

6.2.2

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

6.2.3

RESOLVED: That the appeal be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional educational and family circumstances in the case, and the pass be granted for a period of 12 months (Case No. L/F1).