Agenda item

28.1

Verbal Appeal (Case No. KE/01)

28.1.1

In attendance were the appellant and Semaira Asif and Vicky Hitchen (Customer Services).

28.1.2

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked attendees to introduce themselves. She then outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

28.1.3

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services submitted a written 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.KE/01).

28.1.4

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

28.1.5

The appellant explained the reasons for her preference of King Ecgbert Secondary School, and noted that her child had previously had ‘looked after child’ status and had complex needs that required a nurturing, structured, supportive and creative environment in order to build her confidence and skills. She explained that she had spent time visiting different secondary schools with her child, and felt that King Ecgbert would best meet her needs. She noted that the staff at King Ecgbert had fully supported her child’s transition from primary school, and that her child travelled to school by bus with a friend, which provided her with emotional support on her journey to and from school.

28.1.6

At this stage in the proceedings, the appellant left the meeting to allow the next case to be considered.

28.2

Written Appeal No. KE/02

28.2.1

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services submitted a written report and commented upon a case where the child’s 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. KE/02).

28.2.2

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

28.2.3

The Committee noted that no reasons had been specified for the choice of King Ecgbert School over qualifying schools that were closer to the child’s home address. The Committee also noted that the supporting medical documentation provided was not complete or recent, and that further information had been requested but not provided.

28.2.4

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

28.3

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

RESOLVED: That:-

a)    one appeal be upheld on the grounds that there are exceptional educational, financial, medical and family/social circumstances demonstrated (Case No.KE/01); and

b)    one appeal be not upheld on the grounds that there are no exceptional educational, financial, medical, financial, physical or family/social circumstances demonstrated (Case No.KE/02).