Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea no interests were declared.

The City & County of Swansea – Home to School Transport Policy was noted.

The Welsh Government - Learner Travel - Statutory Provision and Operational Guidance was noted.

The Committee was requested to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the item(s) of business identified in its recommendation(s) to the report on the grounds that it/they involve(s) the disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exclusion paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, relevant to the item(s) of business set out in the report.

The Committee considered the Public Interest Test in deciding whether to exclude the public from the meeting for the items of business where the Public Interest Test was relevant as set out in the report.

Resolved that the public be excluded for the following items on the agenda.

(Closed Session)

The Committee heard an appeal by the parent of DR.

The appeal was brought against the Department’s decision in relation to eligibility for free transport from their home address to Gower College Swansea.

The parent of DR made verbal representations to the Committee in support of her written submissions and outlined the particular circumstances of her appeal relating to the child’s disability and special educational needs and her current family circumstances.

Officers of the Education and Transportation sections also made verbal representations in support of their written submissions.

The type and manner of free transport that the authority provides to college students and its main differences to school transport provision (mini buses not taxis) was outlined and detailed by the transport officer to the committee.

Members of the committee asked various questions of both the appellant and officers who responded accordingly.

The Committee considered fully all the verbal and written submissions.

Resolved that

1)    the appeal on behalf of DR be allowed and DR be provided with free transport to Gower College subject to a review at the end of the current academic year.

2)    That the parent be encouraged to apply for a concessionary bus pass for DR going forward.