The meeting considered a single item of confidential business. This was an appeal against a decision made by Carmarthenshire Council to refuse to provide free school transport. The appeal was upheld.

Appeal By Applicant EFW Against a Decision of the Authority for the Non-Provision of Free School Transport

The Members Home to School Transport Appeals Panel considered an appeal against the Council's refusal to provide free school transport to Applicant EFW. The appeal was heard in private because the evidence relating to the appeal included confidential information about the applicant.

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report included personal information relating to the applicant. Disclosure would support transparency and accountability in the decision-making process, however, on balance the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighed the public interest in disclosure because of the need to protect the identity of the applicant and the family.

- Printed minutes 03rd-Dec-2024 10.10 Members Home to School Transport Appeals Panel

This suggests that the applicant may be vulnerable in some way, or that their right to privacy outweighed the public interest in knowing the details of the case.

Under the law in England and Wales, local authorities like Carmarthenshire Council must provide free transport to school if a child cannot walk to their nearest suitable school because of their age, disability, or the distance they live from the school. If a child is over the age of eight, the distance they are expected to walk to school is three miles. If the child is under eight, the distance is two miles. A suitable school means any school that caters to the child's age, aptitude and ability, and any special educational needs they may have. Where a parent has chosen to send their child to a school that is not their nearest suitable school, the local authority is not required to provide free transport.

Councillors on the Panel heard evidence from the applicant and from council officers. They decided to overturn the decision of the Stage 1 Review Panel and provide EFW with free school transport.