Draft minutes

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

At the commencement of the meeting, the Chair welcomed all present, introductions were made and outlined to those present, the purpose of the reconvened meeting.

The Pupil Support and Transport Manager and the Appellant were in attendance at the meeting.

As the hearing was being held via a teleconferencing facility, Members of the Committee and other parties, were informed by the Chair that she would indicate who would speak and in what order to ensure that the meeting ran as smoothly as possible.

The Appellant confirmed that he had received written correspondence from the Senior Legal Officer, setting out the reasons for the adjournment of the meeting on 6th October, 2020, and the reconvening of today’s meeting.

The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager submitted additional information from Outwood Academy Adwick, providing confirmation regarding the entrances used by Year 7 pupils at the school and confirmed the measurement to the nearest entrance of the school. It was noted that a copy of the email from the Outwood Academy Adwick had been forwarded to the Senior Legal Officer for information. The Committee and the Appellant were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Pupil Support and Transport Manager.  No questions were put to the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager by the Committee.  The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager then responded to questions from the Appellant.

The Appellant addressed the Committee and made representations. The Committee and the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Appellant.  No questions were put to the Appellant from the Committee or the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager.

The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager and the Appellant then made closing statements. 

The Chair thanked the Appellant and the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager for their attendance at the meeting.

The Chair informed both parties that they would be notified of the outcome of the Committee’s decision in writing and the reasons for the decision, within 5 working days of the meeting.

The Pupil Support and Passenger Transport Manager and the Appellant were subsequently excluded from the meeting whilst the Committee considered the appeal in private.

Having considered the report, the representations made and evidence presented at the Committee meeting held on 6th October, 2020 and today’s meeting, the Committee was not persuaded that there was sufficient reason to uphold the decision.

RESOLVED that having considered all the circumstances, the information set out in the report, the representations made and evidence presented at the Committee meeting held on 6th October, 2020 and at today’s meeting, the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy July 2015, and the DfE guidance on Home to School Travel and Transport, Appeal Case No. 1214 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.