Agenda item

7.1

Discretionary Home to School Transport (Special Educational Needs)

7.1.1

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.

7.1.2

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

7.1.3

RESOLVED: That the appeal be not upheld on the grounds that the Committee is of the opinion that there are no exceptional financial, medical, educational or family circumstances in the case (Case No. R1).

7.2

Home to School Travel Bus Passes

7.2.1

The Interim Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted reports and commented upon seven 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.

7.2.2

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:-

7.2.3

RESOLVED: That (a) three appeals be upheld on the grounds that there are either exceptional educational, financial, medical or family circumstances in the cases (Case Nos. BYRWO1, HS1 and WESTF1);

(b) three 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) two of the pupils do not attend their catchment area school/nearest suitable school (Case Nos. MEYN1 and MEYN2) and (ii) one pupil does not attend one of their three nearest qualifying schools (Case No. NOTDAM1); and

(c) the request in Case No. STTM1 be referred back to the Interim Executive Director for it to be re-assessed in terms of the distance between the pupil’s home address to the school and, if the distance is under two miles, authority be given for the Interim Executive Director, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, to determine the request.