Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned; and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

None.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 18 December 2017 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Resolved: That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the whole item, including the decisions referred to at Agenda item 4 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider an appeal lodged in connection with the provision of assistance for home to school transport.

(This item contains personal information regarding the appellant which is exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Committee considered an appeal that had been lodged in connection with a decision taken by officers within the Children’s Services Directorate not to provide assistance with home-to-school transport.

Mrs L Rowbottom presented the case on behalf of the Authority.

The Appellant was in attendance at the meeting.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Mrs Goodall, Head of Legal Services, (Litigation and Delivery) and Miss Burnett, Clerk to the Committee.

Whilst carefully considering all the information submitted by the appellant and the Authority both in writing and verbally at the meeting, it became apparent to the Committee that there had been a change in the family’s circumstances since the Stage 1 Appeal (Review by a Senior Officer).  Despite being made aware of this by the Appellant, there was no evidence to determine whether the application for Home to School Transport assistance had been reassessed, based on the new information, prior being considered by the Committee.

The Committee, after carefully considering all the evidence before it, was satisfied that the decision should be deferred to allow the change in family circumstances to be assessed to  determine whether this would have changed the officers original decision not to provide Home to School Transport Assistance.

Resolved:

To defer the consideration of the officer’s decision not to provide assistance with home to school transport costs to allow the change in family circumstances to be assessed.  If necessary, the Committee will reconvene at a later date.

Background papers:  Exempt

To note the date of the next meeting as 21 May 2018.

Resolved: To note the date of the next meeting as 21 May 2018.