The School Placings and Exclusions Appeals Committee of Aberdeenshire Council was scheduled to consider two placing appeals for Meldrum Academy. The committee was also set to review its adherence to the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The committee was scheduled to consider and potentially adopt a resolution regarding its adherence to the Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty, as outlined in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010¹, requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between individuals who share protected characteristics and those who do not. The protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Members were to be directed to the Council Priorities, Implications and Risk section of reports to ascertain if an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA)² had been conducted and to consider its contents when making decisions.

Placing Appeals for Meldrum Academy

Two placing appeals concerning Meldrum Academy were scheduled for discussion. These appeals, identified as E 1040 and E 1035, were designated as exempt from public disclosure under paragraph 5 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The nature of the information deemed exempt relates to the adoption, care, fostering, education, or supervision of a particular child. The report pack indicated that these items would be discussed in private session.

The procedure for the virtual meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams, was also outlined. This included the introduction of committee members and legal representatives, confirmation of attendance by appellants and their representatives, and the process for presenting cases, questioning witnesses, and summing up. Decisions were to be notified in writing within 14 days of the hearing.