Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting.

Cllr Tony Jackson was elected as Chairman for this appeal only.

Cllr Tony Jackson 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 21 October 2024.

The minutes from the previous School Transport Appeal held on 21 October 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 21 October 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. 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 decision was made:

The Panel accepted the Officer’s report and that there is no lawful obligation to provide free home to school transport to Sheldon School. 

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 there was no reason to provide door to door transport.

The Panel, taking account of the child’s working Autism diagnosis and the information as provided decided, as per paragraph 42 of the Officer’s Report (which indicated that there was no cost to provide a space on the public bus to Sheldon School), to offer a space on this existing public bus route in Colerne to and from Sheldon School at no cost.