Overview:

Key to names used

Mr X The complainant

Z His son

Summary

Mr X complained the Council failed to arrange suitable school transport for his son, Z.

Finding

Fault found causing injustice and recommendations made.

Recommendations

The Council must consider the report and confirm within three months the action it has taken or proposes to take. The Council should consider the report at its full Council, Cabinet or other appropriately delegated committee of elected members and we will require evidence of this. (Local Government Act 1974, section 31(2), as amended)

In addition to the above, and to remedy the injustice caused to Mr X by its faults, the Council has agreed it will, within four weeks of the date of our report:

• apologise to Mr X for the faults in its handling of Z’s transport application, and delay, time and trouble these caused;

• pay Mr X its mileage allowance for his journeys driving Z to and from school until suitable transport was put in place (if it has not done so already);

• pay Mr X £250 to acknowledge his and his wife’s time and trouble driving Z to and from school each day until suitable transport was put in place. This is a symbolic amount based on our published Guidance on Remedies; and

• pay Mr X £150 to acknowledge his time and trouble corresponding with the Council about, and appealing against, the suitability of its transport offers. This is a symbolic amount based on our published Guidance on Remedies.

And, the Council has also agreed it will, within three months of the date of this report, provide us with evidence it has reviewed its school transport offer letters to ensure it provides families with details of the statutory guidance, its policy and the appeals process.

The Council should provide us with evidence it has completed these recommendations.

Ombudsman satisfied with Council's response: 21 December 2022.

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