Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting.

Cllr Adrian Foster was elected as Chairman for this appeal only.

Cllr Adrian Foster 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 meetings held on 14 August 2023 and 17 August 2023.

The minutes from the previous School Transport Appeal held on 17 August 2023 were presented. After which, it was;

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2023.

To note the procedure for the meeting.

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

The Appellant attended the meeting via Microsoft Teams and was accompanied by three representatives from Alderbury and West Grimstead Primary School.

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. 5 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 decisions were made:

Older named pupil:

Having heard the written and verbal case provided, the Panel decided to uphold the decision from the Education Transport Entitlement Manager to refuse home to school transport for the older named pupil to attend Alderbury and West Grimstead Primary School. This is on the basis that this was a parental choice not to send the older named pupil to the closest or designated school.

Having considered all of the evidence provided, the Panel exercised its discretion to make an exception to Council Policy to fund a taxi until the end of the 2024 summer term to secure the attendance of the older named pupil in school.

Younger named pupil:

Having heard the written and verbal case provided, the Panel decided to uphold the decision from the Education Transport Entitlement Manager to refuse home to school transport for the younger named pupil to attend Alderbury and West Grimstead Primary School. This is on the basis that this was a parental choice not to send the younger named pupil to the closest or designated school.

Having considered all of the evidence provided, the Panel exercised its discretion to make an exception to Council Policy to fund a taxi until the end of the 2024 summer term to secure the attendance of the younger named pupil in school.