Agenda item

6.1

In attendance were the appellant, the appellant’s husband and Andy Tierney and Semaira Asif (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 Strategic Director of Children’s Services, submitted a report and commented upon a case where the parent had appealed against the administrative decision made by the Strategic Director with regard to the refusal to grant a home to school travel bus pass (Case No.AS/01).

6.4

Andy Tierney explained the Stage 1 review and Stage 2 appeals process regarding the City Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  Mr Tierney informed the Committee of the reasons why the request for a home to school travel pass had been refused at Stage 1. He also informed the Committee that the child was attending a school based upon parental choice, that was not a qualifying school.

6.5

The appellant and her husband explained the reasons for their preference for their child be educated in a Catholic school. They stated that they had not applied for the school travel pass on the basis of low income, but due to their wish to continue their child’s education at their nearest Catholic school, which they believed to be the most appropriate school for him. They added that they had found the current policy difficult to navigate and believed that it discriminated against parental choice of those with religious beliefs.

6.6

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellant, the appellant’s husband and the officers left the meeting to enable the Committee to consider the evidence.

6.7

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)  the appeal be not upheld on the grounds that there are no exceptional medical, financial, family and social circumstances demonstrated (Case No.AS/01); and

(b)  the Committee undertake to request that the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee consider commissioning a review of the Home to School Transport Policy, with particular regard to how other local authorities process applications for Zero Fare Bus Passes for travel to faith schools.