Agenda item

6.1

Verbal Appeal – WS1 and WS2

6.1.1

In attendance were the appellant and her representative 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 a report 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 No.WS1 and WS2).

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. Pryor informed the Committee of the reasons why the requests for home to school travel passes had been refused at Stage 1.

6.1.5

The appellant, with the help of her representative, explained to the Committee the reasons for the requests for home to school travel passes for her children.

6.1.6

In response to questions from Members, the appellant stated that during the past three years her children had been in care and that they had attended three or four different schools.  She stated that since her children had returned to her care, they had settled into the school for which she was applying for bus passes for, but had moved out of the area.  She added that she now had a support network in place and that her third child was in the Reception class.  The appellant went on to say that her children had been afraid to form  friendships in the past, but the eldest of her children had now started to make friends in school.

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 upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional financial, educational and family circumstances in the cases (Case Nos. WS1 and WS2).

6.2

Verbal Appeal – LF1

6.2.1

In attendance were the appellant, an interpreter 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.LF1).

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 appellant, through his interpreter, explained to the Committee the reasons for the request for a home to school travel pass for his child.

6.2.6

In response to questions from Members, the appellant stated that his family had lived near the school for which he was applying a bus pass for, but then they had moved to a larger house.  He added that his children had settled into the school and that another child, who was autistic, attended Norfolk Park School.

6.2.7

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

6.2.8

RESOLVED: That the appeal be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional financial, educational and family circumstances in the case (Case No.LF1).

6.3

Written Appeals

6.3.1

The Executive Director, People Services, submitted reports and commented upon three 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) one 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.AS1); and

(b) two 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 their three qualifying  schools (Case Nos.NF1 and NF2).