The School Transport Appeals Committee of Devon County Council met on Monday 2 March 2026 to consider several school transport appeals. The committee refused three appeals and deferred two for further inspection.

School Transport Appeals

The committee considered five school transport appeals. Three appeals were refused: ST396 for transport from Woodbury Salterton to Sidmouth Primary School, ST394 for transport from Landkey to Barnstaple The Park, and ST397 for transport from Exeter to Exeter, Thomas Hall School.

Two appeals were deferred for members' route inspection: ST398 for transport from Stoodleigh to Tiverton High School, and ST399 for transport from Peter Tavy to Tavistock College.

The meeting was attended by Councillors F Biederman, D McGeough (Chair), T Richardson, and N Stevens. Councillor G Bell sent apologies. No declarations of interest were made beyond those already registered. The minutes from the previous meeting on 2 February 2026 were approved. The committee also resolved to exclude the press and public from discussions concerning the appeals, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to individuals' financial affairs. No urgent items were raised, and no deferred appeals from previous urgency procedures were noted.

The School Transport Appeals Committee is responsible for hearing appeals from parents or guardians regarding the council's decisions on eligibility for school transport assistance. This assistance is typically provided to pupils who live beyond a certain statutory walking distance from their nearest suitable school, as defined by the Education Act 1996¹. The committee's decisions are based on the information provided by the appellants, the local county councillors, and the Director of Children and Young People's Futures, as well as any route inspections undertaken.