The Members Home to School Transport Appeals Panel considered several appeals regarding the provision of free school transport. The panel considered appeals against decisions not to provide free school transport. In all cases, the reports relating to the appeals contained exempt information, and a public interest test was applied to determine whether the public should be excluded from the meeting during their consideration. It was unanimously resolved that the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighed the public interest in disclosure to protect the identity of the applicants and their families.

Home to School Transport Appeals

Appeal by E.J.T. Refused The appeal by applicant E.J.T. against the non-provision of free school transport was refused. The decision was based on the Council's Home to School Transport Policy, as E.J.T. was not attending the nearest or Local Education Authority (LEA) designated school for their home address, due to parental preference.

Appeal by E.S. Upheld The appeal submitted by applicant E.S. for free home to school transport was unanimously upheld.

Appeal by S.R.T. Refused The appeal by applicant S.R.T. was refused in line with the Authority's Home to School Transport Policy. The refusal was based on S.R.T.'s home address being located within the statutory walking distance of the designated LEA school, and the walking route having been assessed as suitable in accordance with Welsh Government Criteria.

Appeal by A.R.W. Refused The appeal by applicant A.R.W. was refused. The Panel determined that A.R.W. was not attending the nearest or LEA designated school for their home address, due to parental preference, and therefore did not meet the criteria for assistance under the Council's policy.

Appeal by L.R.L. Refused Applicant L.R.L.'s appeal against the non-provision of free school transport was refused. The decision cited that L.R.L. was not attending the nearest or LEA designated school for their home address, due to parental preference, which did not meet the criteria outlined in the Council's policy.

Appeal by O.J.T. Refused The appeal by applicant O.J.T. was refused on the grounds that they were not attending the nearest or LEA designated school for their home address, due to parental preference. This decision was made in accordance with the Authority's Home to School Transport Policy.

Appeal by R.F. Refused The appeal by applicant R.F. was refused. The Panel found that R.F.'s home address was located within the statutory walking distance of the designated LEA school, and the walking route was assessed as suitable according to Welsh Government Criteria. Therefore, the appeal did not meet the criteria for assistance under the Council's policy.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor E.G. Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure. Also present were Councillor G. Davies, Cabinet Member for Education & Welsh Language, and local members Councillor Ll.M. Davies and Councillor D. Jones. The meeting was attended by Stella Rossiter, Assistant Solicitor; A. Evans, Operations Manager - Passenger Transport; Kayleigh Phillips, Passenger Transport Policy & Development Manager; Gemma Thomas, Assistant Schools Admissions Officer; and Kelly Evans, Democratic Services Officer. Kayleigh James, Solicitor, was observing.

These minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting.