Agenda item

6.1

In attendance were the appellant and Julie Pryor (Customer Services).

6.2

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.

6.3

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.AL/SA01).

6.4

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.

6.5

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

6.6

In response to questions raised by Members, the appellant stated her child attended the school which was the closest Catholic catchment school to their home address.  She added that her family were practising Catholics and that the non-Catholic catchment school closest to their home does not accommodate their faith in their lesson plans.  The appellant felt that Catholic children were treated unfairly due to their religion.

6.7

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

6.8

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

6.9

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 their catchment school (Case No.AL/SA01).