Agenda and draft 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 June 2021 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2021 are approved 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 of the items, including the decisions referred to at Agenda items 4 and 5 on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1of 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 a request to review the decision of the Council to not provide assistance with home to school transport.

The Appellant was not in attendance at the meeting and the Chair noted their confirmation that they were content for the item to be heard in their absence.

Ms Goodall (Head of Legal, Governance and Partnerships) was in attendance to advice the Committee on procedure and policy only and had taken no part in the original decision. 

Also in attendance was Mrs Cook, Clerk to the Committee.

The relevant Head of Service presented the case on behalf of the Authority.

The Committee carefully considered all the representations and documentation put forward by both parties.

The Committee acknowledged the information put forward by both the Appellant in their submission and by the Local Authority and were satisfied that the decision to not provide assistance with home to school transport was reasonable and correct and that the Council’s policies and procedures had been followed.

Resolved:

That the appeal is dismissed as the Committee was satisfied that the Council’s relevant policies and procedures had been correctly followed and the decision was reasonable and correct.

The Committee to consider and determine a request for a review of a decision of the Council to dismiss an employee.

(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 the request to review the decision of the Council to dismiss an employee by way of redundancy.

The Appellant was in attendance at the meeting and represented themselves. The Chair had agreed to deviate from the Council’s policy to allow them to be represented by a family member, however they were unable to attend and the Appellant confirmed that they would present their own case.

Mrs Roberts (Employee Relations Team Manager) and Ms Goodall (Head of Legal, Governance and Partnerships) were in attendance to advise the Committee on policy and procedure only and had taken no part in the original decision.

Also in attendance was Mrs Cook, Clerk to the Committee.

The relevant Head of Service and Employee Relations Adviser presented the case on behalf of the Authority and the Appellant presented their case.

The Committee acknowledged the information put forward by both the Appellant and the Local Authority and considered the supplementary evidence submitted by the Appellant.

The Committee was satisfied that the Council’s policies and procedures had been followed and that the decision to dismiss by way of redundancy was reasonable and proportionate.

Resolved:

That the appeal is dismissed as the Committee was satisfied that the Council’s relevant policies and procedures had been correctly followed and the decision was reasonable and proportionate.

Resolved: To note the date of the next meeting as 31 January 2022.