Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

THE REPORT RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS IT CONTAINS  EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT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

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as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 that the following item was not for publication as the report contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

(Note: Cllr B. Davies having declared an interest in this item left the meeting during its consideration and voting thereof).

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 F.P.free school transport to a school which was not the nearest or LEA 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 individual circumstances of the case, together with the observations of the departmental officers.

In light of the comments made by the Local Member during consideration of agenda item 2, it was highlighted that new information/evidence could not be considered by the scheduled Stage 2 Panel. However, it was confirmed that applications relying on new information could be sent back for fresh consideration by officers at Stage 1 of the appeals process. The fresh decision when made by officers could, of course, be appealed if required and in such circumstances would come back to the Stage 2 Panel.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, in line with the Authority’s Home to School Transport Policy, that the appeal be refused on the basis that F.P.  was not attending the nearest or Local Education Authority designated school for the home address, due to parental preference.