Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of personal interest.

The Committee was advised of an error in the final paragraph of minute 6 where it erroneously referred to “A.L.W’s home address” where it should have been recorded as “ E.M.S’ home address.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 26^th September be signed as a correct record

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 26^th September, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 26^th September, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 26^th September, 2017 be signed as a correct record.

THE REPORT RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS IT CONTAINS  EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007. IF FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST THE PANEL RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THIS  ITEM IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION

RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 that the following items were not for publication as the reports contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute 4 above, not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to a particular individual.

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report included personal information relating to the applicant. Although disclosure would support transparency and accountability in the decision making process, the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighed the public interest in disclosure because of the need to protect the identity of the applicant and the family.

The Chair welcomed officers from Legal, Environment and Education & Children Services to the meeting.

The Panel considered the written representations of the appellant in respect of the refusal of the Stage 1 Review Panel to grant B.A. free school transport to a school which was not the nearest or Local Education Authority designated school for the home address and therefore, did not meet the criteria outlined in the Council’s policy for the provision of assistance.

The Panel considered the observations of the departmental officers, together with the individual circumstances of the case. The Panel also sought clarification on elements of the Authority’s Home to School Transport Policy, the availability of a fare paying bus and the availability of public transport from B.A’s home address to the chosen school.

RESOLVED that due to the exceptional circumstances of the case, the appeal submitted by B.A. be upheld.

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute 4 above, not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to a particular individual.

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report included personal information relating to the applicant. Although disclosure would support transparency and accountability in the decision making process, the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighed the public interest in disclosure because of the need to protect the identity of the applicant and the family.

The Chair welcomed officers from Legal, Environment and Education & Children Services to the meeting.

The Panel considered the written representations of the appellant in respect of the refusal of the Stage 1 Review Panel to grant E.G.W. free school transport to a school which was not the nearest or Local Education Authority designated school for the home address and therefore, did not meet the criteria outlined in the Council’s policy for the provision of assistance.

The Panel considered the observations of the departmental officers, together with the individual circumstances of the case. The Panel also sought clarification on elements of the Authority’s Home to School Transport Policy and the availability of public transport from E.G.W’s home address to the chosen school.

RESOLVED that due to the exceptional circumstances of the case, the appeal submitted by E.G.W. be upheld.