The Appeals Sub-Committee (School Transport) of Wiltshire Council met on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to consider a school transport appeal. The committee decided to provide transport for two children, granting a bus pass for the remainder of the academic year for a Year 7 child and until the completion of GCSEs for a Year 9 child, departing from the council's usual policy.

School Transport Appeal

The committee considered an appeal regarding school transport for two children. The officer's report indicated that there was no legal obligation to provide free transport to the current school, as it was not the nearest suitable school for either child. However, the panel reviewed the appellant's submission and evidence, alongside the council's Transport Policy and Law, to determine if exceptional circumstances warranted a departure from policy.

For the Year 7 child, the panel agreed to use its discretionary power to provide transport by means of a bus pass for the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year. Similarly, for the Year 9 child, the committee decided to exercise its discretionary power to provide transport via a bus pass until the child completes their GCSEs in Year 11. This decision represents a departure from the council's standard policy, which typically requires transport to be provided only to the nearest suitable school. The meeting was held in closed session to discuss the details of the appeal, in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

The Appeals Sub-Committee was chaired by Councillor Allison Bucknell, with Councillor Peter Wragg (Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Enterprise) and Councillor Chris Vaughan also in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 December 2025 were approved.