Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns that South Lanarkshire Council (the Council) were using incorrect school boundaries when deciding which children qualified for free school transport. The result of this was that the children concerned had to apply every term for 'privileged places' rather than being granted free places automatically. These privileged places are awarded at the discretion of the Council and are dependent on places being available on the existing transport. Mrs C is concerned that the Council have altered the school boundaries without the required statutory public consultation being carried out.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the Council are not using the correct school boundaries when establishing school placements and free school transport (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Council carries out the actions that they have suggested to address the issues raised in this complaint, these are:
- (i) notify all effected parents of their intentions to guarantee school transport for their children until the end of their schooling; and
- (ii) ensure that the Catchment Area Review Group consider the issues raised in this report to ensure that a long term solution to the school boundary problems is achieved.
The Council have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.