Agenda and draft minutes

Members Home to School Transport Appeals Panel - Tuesday, 8th October, 2024 10.50 am

Venue: Virtual Meeting. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

 

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST

Minutes:

Councillor

Minute No.

Nature of Interest

G. R. Jones

4 – To consider an appeal by applicant JCT against a decision by officers for the non-provision of free school transport

He had been in a community meeting where child had been discussed.  Therefore, declared personal and prejudicial interest. 

 

3.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

THE REPORT RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS IT CONTAINS  EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT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.

Minutes:

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as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 that the following item was not for publication as the report contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

4.

TO CONSIDER AN APPEAL BY APPLICANT JCT AGAINST A DECISION OF THE AUTHORITY FOR THE NON-PROVISION OF FREE SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Minutes:

(NOTE: Councillor G.R. Jones had earlier declared an interest in this item but remained in the meeting and did not vote)

 

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute 3 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. Disclosure would support transparency and accountability in the decision-making process, however, on balance 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 Panel considered the written representations of the appellant in respect of the refusal of the Stage 1 Review Panel to grant J.C.T. free school transport to the nearest LEA designated school which was located within the 3mile statutory walking distance from 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 individual circumstances of the case, together with the observations of the departmental officers.

 

RESOLVED that, in line with the Authority’s Home to School Transport Policy, the appeal be refused on the basis that J.C.T.’s home address was located within the statutory walking distance of the designated Local Education Authority School.