Council admits fault in row with Wakefield mum over free school transport

Wakefield Council has been found at fault after a row with a local mum over free school transport.
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The mum's daughter was wrongly refused access to free journeys to school for the 2019/20 academic year, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman said.

She'd been entitled to free transport the previous year but the council refused to renew her pass after telling her mum that places were available at a school nearer their home.

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The pupil's mum, whose identity was anonymous in the report, submitted an appeal against the decision but this was rejected.

Wakefield Town HallWakefield Town Hall
Wakefield Town Hall

However, after taking her case to the Ombudsman, the council admitted making a mistake and agreed to refund the family for all transport costs dating back to last September.

In its report, the Ombudsman said: "The council was at fault as it did not provide all the necessary information to the panel at both stages.

"This resulted in Ms X’s appeal being dismissed and her having to pay (her daughter's) transport costs.

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"The council has explained this was due to a training issue. It has agreed to pay her daughter's school transport costs and refund Ms X the school transport costs she has incurred since September 2019.

"This is an appropriate remedy for the injustice caused to Ms X."

The report added that the council would be required to provide evidence that they had refunded the family.

Andy Lancashire, the council's service director for education said: “We fully accept the findings of the School’s Ombudsman and have given our sincere apologies to the family involved.

"We have now thoroughly reviewed our procedures and made the necessary changes.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service