Several people attended the public open forum to speak on
different matters.
Lynne Sheridan ~ Strategic Equality Plan
2024-2025
- Lynne emphasised the importance of councils ensuring their
policies and practices comply with the Equality Act 2010,
especially following a recent Supreme Court judgment clarifying
that "sex" refers to biological sex only.
- She
noted difficulty in accessing council policies as a member of the
public and highlighted the need for greater
transparency.
- Lynne stressed that councils, as duty bearers, cannot use
ignorance of the law or wait for government guidance as a defence
for non-compliance. She suggested that even compliant policies can
be undermined in practice, referencing evidence from tribunals and
judicial reviews.
- She
referenced a recent tribunal case where an officer was unaware of
workplace regulations requiring sex-based facilities, illustrating
gaps in staff knowledge.
- Lynne also described a scenario in leisure centres where staff
may face challenges if users report concerns about facility use
based on sex, questioning whether staff are adequately trained to
handle such situations. She urged the council to review and update
policies and training as necessary to ensure compliance and
effective frontline response.
Freddie Madler ~ Home to School Transport
Policy
- Freddie raised concerns about the removal of home-to-school
transport for children aged 4 to 11 in Saint Arvans, highlighting
significant emotional, physical, and financial impacts on
families.
- She
stated that the new walking route exceeds 55 minutes each way, is
unlit, overgrown, frequently flooded, and includes an unsafe
crossing, making it unsuitable and unsafe for young children,
especially in winter.
- Freddie also stated that the route exceeds the 45-minute maximum
recommended for primary children and has not been independently
assessed as required by statutory guidance.
- She
argued that the policy shifts the burden onto families,
disproportionately affects working households, and creates
postcode-based inequality, as some children are excluded despite
the bus passing their previous stop.
- Freddie spoke of how long, demanding journeys negatively affect
children's readiness to learn, causing tiredness, cold, and
anxiety, which undermines educational and well-being
goals.
- Freddie suggested the decision contradicts the council's climate
and active travel objectives by increasing car use and emissions
and urged the council to review and reinstate transport to ensure
equity, safety, and policy coherence.
Community Councillor Matt Sidwell ~ Home to School Transport
Policy
- Councillor Sidwell mentioned that an appeal (Stage 1) has been
lodged regarding the removal of free home-to-school transport for
Mathern and Pwlmeyric, and they are
awaiting a response.
- He
highlighted that while the council may not have a legal obligation
under the Climate Change Act, it must demonstrate consideration of
climate impacts, questioning how the council will address increased
car journeys and associated CO2 emissions compared to bus
transport.
- He
referenced a previous ruling in 2023 that deemed the route unsafe,
particularly at the A48 and Pwllmeyric
Hill area, and noted that no changes have been made since, questioning the justification for removing
the bus service.
Peter Farley, Chair of St. Arvans
Community Council ~ Home to School Transport
Policy
- The
Chair of Saint Arvan’s Community Council expressed that the
Community Council shares the concerns of the parents and residents
in all respects and has considered the matter in the context of our
community as a whole. He conveyed
unanimous support for the petition to reinstate home-to-school
transport, following meetings with affected parents and a
delegation from residents.
- He
emphasised concerns about inequity and potential divisiveness
resulting from the policy change and noted that it could make the
village less attractive to families with young
children.
- He
requested the committee to consider the community council's views
and support the petition during their
discussions.