Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting.

Cllr Graham Wright was elected as Chairman for this appeal only.

Cllr Graham Wright in the Chair.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2024.

The minutes from the previous School Transport Appeal held on 28 February 2024 were presented. After which, it was;

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2024.

To note the procedure for the meeting.

The Chairman outlined the meeting procedure as detailed in the agenda.

To agree that in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Item no. 6 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

The panel considered whether to hold the meeting in closed session and it was:

Resolved:

To exclude members of the press and public for the business specified in Item no. 6 in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, (paragraph 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

To consider and determine a school transport appeal.

The panel heard representations and replies from the Transport Officer and the appellant and asked questions of the parties involved. After which, the following decision was made:

Decision:

The Panel considered all the evidence provided and could find no reason to overturn the Transport Officer’s recommendation.

Recognising the issues raised by the Appellant’s case, the Panel considered the information presented by the Appellant in regard to possible exceptional circumstances arising and decided that in this case the evidence did not justify a departure from Wiltshire Council’s policy.

As per the Home to school travel support policy, April 2022, section 5 paragraph 63, the panel’s decision is final unless subsequent information warrants a further appeal.