Agenda and minutes

To elect a Member to Chair the meeting.

Resolved:  That Councillor Wells be elected as Chair of the meeting.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Items 5, 6 and 7 (Home to School Transport Appeals), on the grounds that they contain information relating to individuals and which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals.  This information is classed as exempt under Paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 5, 6 and 7 (Home to School Transport Appeals), on the grounds that they contain information relating to individuals and which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals.  This information is classed as exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they might have in respect of business on the agenda.  No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider an appeal for assistance with home to school transport to University Technical College, Leeds.

Members considered an appeal from a parent against the Local Authority’s decision not to provide home to school transport for their child to Leeds University Technical College (UTC).

The parent had been invited to attend but had sent apologies.  The child and the parent’s carer were in attendance to present their case.  The Education Officer attended to present the local authority’s case.

Resolved:  (i)      That the appeal be upheld and that the local authority provide transport assistance by funding half the cost of an annual bus pass, subject to the child continuing to maintain a satisfactory attendance at the UTC.

Reason:     The Panel considers that there are exceptional circumstances to warrant a departure from normal policy in this case.

(ii)      That officers review the local authority’s policy in relation to students attending UTCs and ensure that in future the letters sent to Year 9 pupils make it clear that those who choose to attend a UTC will normally be expected to fund their own transport.

Reason:     To avoid any misunderstandings in future with regard to the funding of home to school transport for children attending UTCs.

To consider an appeal for assistance with home to school transport to Huntington School.

Members considered an appeal from a parent against the Local Authority’s decision not to provide home to school transport for their child.

The parent had been invited to attend but had indicated that they did not wish to do so.  The Education Officer attended to present the local authority’s case.

Resolved:  That the appeal not be upheld.

Reason:     There are no exceptional circumstances to warrant a departure from normal policy in this case.

To consider an appeal for assistance with home to school transport to Poppleton Ousebank Primary School.

Members considered an appeal from a parent against the Local Authority’s decision not to provide home to school transport for their child.

The parent had been invited to attend but had indicated that they did not wish to do so.  The Education Officer attended to present the local authority’s case.

Resolved:  That the appeal not be upheld.

Reason:     There are no exceptional circumstances to warrant a departure from normal policy in this case, given the assistance already provided in diverting the route of the school bus.