Stage 2 Appeals are currently being considered with 70 working days (not the published 40 working days). This is due to unprecedented demand and the availability of the Appeals Committee.
It is your responsibility to source and submit supporting evidence, where necessary. Please do not submit your appeal until all supporting evidence you wish to provide is available. The Transport Coordination Service will not source this on your behalf. If supporting evidence is submitted at a later date, the number of working days the Local Authority have to consider your appeal (see below) may be reset.
Parents and carers may sometimes disagree with decisions taken by Cornwall Council in respect of travel assistance. For this reason, we have a two-stage appeals process.
The scope of appeals is limited to determining whether the relevant policy has been applied correctly. It is not to consider the fairness of the policy itself. If you believe that the policy should be changed, you should contact your Local Cornwall Councillor or your MP. They are best placed to get your ideas heard by the Council (to influence change to policy) or Government (to influence change to the law). You also have the right to submit a complaint to Cornwall Council - but not an appeal. For further information, please visit How to complain.
There is a right of appeal if you believe that…
The eligibility criteria have not been applied correctly.
Please check the relevant policy before submitting your appeal. It would be helpful to mention which criteria you think might not have been applied as it should.
The distance measurements provided are incorrect.
Please check the relevant policy before submitting your appeal. It would be helpful to mention what you believe the correct measurements are.
The walking route is unsuitable.
This may relate to the walking route to the school, or to the pick-up point. Please check the Pedestrian Route Assessment Policy before submitting your appeal.
It would be helpful to mention which criteria you think might not have been applied as it should.
The travel arrangements offered are unsuitable.
There is no right of appeal against decisions to place (or not place) students on specific vehicles, or with specific operators or drivers. You have the right to submit a complaint to Cornwall Council - but not an appeal. For further information, please visit How to complain.
You consider your family’s circumstances to be exceptional.
This relates solely to applications considered under the Home to School Travel Assistance Policy (not those considered under the Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy). The term ‘exceptional’ relates to family circumstances which are unusual, uncommon and infrequent, and beyond the parent’s control.
Stage 1 Appeal - Review by a Senior Officer
Stage 1 Appeals must be submitted within 20 working days of the Local Authority's decision. They will be considered by a Senior Officer within the Transport Coordination Service within 20 working days. The officer will review the original decision and respond with a detailed written outcome setting out…
- The nature of the decision reached.
- How the review was conducted (including the standard followed).
- Information about other departments and/or agencies that were consulted as part of the process.
- What factors were considered.
- The rationale for the decision reached.
- Information about escalation to a Stage 2 Appeal (if applicable).
Stage 2 Appeal - Review by the Appeals Committee
Stage 1 Appeals must be submitted within 20 working days of the Local Authority's Stage 1 Appeal decision. They will be considered by a Senior Officer within the Transport Coordination Service within 40 working days. The Appeals Committee will review the original decision and respond with a detailed written outcome setting out…
- The nature of the decision reached.
- How the review was conducted (including the standard followed).
- Information about other departments and/or agencies that were consulted as part of the process.
- What factors were considered.
- The rationale for the decision reached.
- Information about escalation to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (if applicable).