The Dorset Council Appeals Committee met on Monday 8 September 2025 to discuss two transport appeals. Both appeals, regarding the council's refusal to provide transport support for students, were ultimately refused. Due to the confidential nature of the information, the public and press were excluded from the discussion of these appeals.

Transport Appeals

The Appeals Committee considered two appeals against the council's decision to refuse transport support for students. Councillor Bridget Bolwell, Vice-Chair of the committee, along with Councillors Alex Fuhrmann, Paul Kimber, and David Shortell, were present to review the cases. Emily Bearman, Senior Casework Officer, Anna Christian, and Vicky Diaz, Service Manager for Travel Operations, were also present to provide information and support.

Transport Appeal 1: Cranborne Middle School

The committee refused the appeal on behalf of AS, against the council's refusal to provide transport support between their home and Cranborne Middle School.

Transport Appeal 2: St Osmund's Middle School

The committee refused the appeal on behalf of RF and FF, against the council's refusal to provide transport support between their home and St Osmund's Middle School.

Exempt Business

The Appeals Committee agreed to exclude the public and press from the meeting during the discussion of the transport appeals. This decision was made in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972¹, as the discussion was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Act. The reasons cited for taking the item in private were:

• Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.
• Paragraph 2 - Information which is likely to reveal identity of an individual.