Agenda item

8.1

Discretionary Home to School Transport (Special Educational Needs)

8.1.1

The Interim Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted a report and commented upon a case where parents had appealed against an administrative decision made by the Interim Executive Director with regard to the refusal to fund discretionary home to school transport in respect of their child.

8.1.2

The Committee gave consideration to all the supporting information and evidence provided by the pupil’s parents, including a report from a Child Educational Psychologist and, arising therefrom, it was:-

8.1.3

RESOLVED: That the appeal be refused on the grounds that a Tribunal had found that the child was not statemented and that although the child had been placed at the school on appeal, transportation to such school should not be funded on the grounds that there are no exceptional circumstances demonstrated.

8.2

Home to School Travel Bus Passes

8.2.1

The Interim Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted reports and commented upon 37 cases where parents had appealed against the administrative decisions made by the Interim Executive Director with regard to the refusal to grant home to school travel bus passes.

8.2.2

The Committee gave consideration to all the supporting information and evidence provided by the pupils’ parents including, in some cases, evidence and advice provided by voluntary or professional bodies and organisations and, arising therefrom, it was:-

8.2.3

RESOLVED: That (a) seven appeals be upheld on the grounds that there are either exceptional educational, financial, medical or family circumstances in the cases (Case Nos. WY1, PA1, Kec1, Ked1, Ked4, Tap1 and WF1);

(b)       28 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, (i) the distance from the home addresses of 19 pupils to the schools for which they are requesting passes for is less than the distance in the criteria (Case Nos.Fir1, Fir2, Har1, Har2, Sac1, SG1, SG2, St.J1, St.J2, St.Ms1, St.H1, St.H2, As1,Ked5, Me1, Me2, PW1, PW2 and Tap2), (ii) eight of the pupils do not attend one of their three nearest qualifying schools (Case Nos.Ast1, CI1, FoV1, HS1, Ked3, PW3, PW4 and Tap3) and (iii) with regard to the remaining appeal, relating to a voluntary-aided school, the religious education provided at the school is not of the pupil’s parents’ religion or denomination (Case No.As2); and

(c)        consideration of the remaining two appeals be deferred to enable the Interim Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, to seek further information regarding family circumstances and medical information, respectively, from the pupils’ parents (Case Nos.Hat1 and Ked2).