Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that in the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Councillor Ken Keegan preside as Chair of the Committee for the duration of this meeting only.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16th January, 2018, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the public and press be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act, was likely to be disclosed.

The Committee considered two appeals in relation to requests for school transport assistance, in respect of Case Numbers 1211 and 1212. The Committee was asked to consider whether to allow the appeals based on the exceptional circumstances, as outlined in the Appellant’s letters of support.

The Committee Members and the Appellant had received the agenda and the Hearings Procedure prior to the meeting.

The Appellant was in attendance at the meeting and was represented at the meeting by her Stepfather.

At the commencement of the meeting, the Chair welcomed all present, introductions were made and the purpose of the hearing was outlined. 

The Appellant confirmed receipt of the agenda and procedure for the hearing and confirmed that she understood the procedure to be followed.

The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager was in attendance at the meeting and presented the case on behalf of the Council, made representations in respect of the appeals and answered questions from the Committee, the Appellant and the Appellant’s Stepfather.

The Appellant and the Appellant’s Stepfather presented their case in respect of Case Numbers, 1211 and 1212, made representations and answered questions from Members of the Committee, and the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager.  Additionally, with the agreement of the Committee, additional information pertaining to the Appellant’s financial circumstances in support of her case, was tabled at the meeting for Members’ information. 

The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager and the Appellant’s Stepfather made closing statements.

To conclude, the Chair informed all parties that they would be notified of the outcome of the Committee’s decision in writing, within five working days after the meeting.  All parties were then asked to leave the room whilst the Committee deliberated the appeal and reached a decision in private. 

RESOLVED that

(1)      In respect of Appeal Case No. 1211, having considered all the circumstances, the information set out in the report and the representations and evidence presented at the meeting, Appeal Case No. 1211 be refused on the grounds that the reasons put forward in support of the appeal did not merit the Committee exercising its discretion to make an exception and award transport assistance that is not in accordance with the Home to School Transport Policy 2015; and

(2)      In respect of Appeal Case No. 1212, having considered all the circumstances, the information set out in the report and the representations and evidence presented at the meeting, Appeal Case No. 1212 be refused on the grounds that the reasons put forward in support of the appeal did not merit the Committee exercising its discretion to make an exception and award transport assistance that is not in accordance with the Home to School Transport Policy 2015.