Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs M Simon be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

There were no apologies.

In the interest of openness, Councillor Mrs M Simon declared that in relation to the second case she had a relative who worked at Haslington Primary School in addition her father who was now retired used to work at the Ethel Elks Family Centre which had been referred to in the supporting statements.

It was noted that Members had received an email from Councillor D Bebbington supporting the appellant in relation to case 1.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

In the absence of members of the public, the Sub Committee proceeded to the next item of business.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item, pursuant to Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing this information.

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine the following appeals against the decision of the Council not to offer assisted school transport. 

A copy of the Home to School Transport policy is attached.

The cases will be heard at the following times:

Case 1: 2.00 pm (pages 37-84)

Case 2: 2.45 pm (pages 85-110)

The Sub-Committee considered two appeals against the decision of the Cheshire East Transport Service not to allow assistant school transport in accordance with the Council’s Under 16 School Transport Policy.

Case 1

The appellant attended the hearing.  The Sub-Committee heard the appeal based on the oral and written evidence of the Presenting Officer who detailed the Local Authority’s case and the oral and written evidence of the appellant.  Members of the Sub Committee asked questions by way of clarification.

The Presenting Officer and the appellant withdrew from the meeting following which the Sub Committee reached its decision.

RESOLVED:

That the appeal be upheld.

Case 2

The Presenting Officer attended the meeting. The Sub-Committee heard the appeal based on the oral and written evidence of the Presenting Officer who detailed the Local Authority’s case and the written evidence of the appellant.  Members of the Sub Committee asked questions by way of clarification.

The Presenting Officer withdrew from the meeting following which the Sub Committee reached its decision.

RESOLVED:

That the appeal be upheld.