The Wokingham Conservatives are deeply concerned about the recent decision by the Liberal Democrats to remove councillors from the Home to School Transport Appeals Panel. This move, which the Liberal Democrats argue will "depoliticise" the process by placing it solely in the hands of council officers, undermines democratic accountability and transparency in an important service affecting many families.
Wokingham Conservatives firmly believe that councillor involvement is essential to ensure that decisions reflect the unique needs of our local community. Elected councillors bring a vital human element to the process, representing the voices and concerns of residents, and ensuring that each case is assessed with the local context in mind. We believe that removing councillors risks turning the process into a bureaucratic exercise, disconnected from the real-life situations families face.
Cllr Rebecca Margetts, speaking on behalf of the Conservatives, strongly opposed this change during the council debate. She stated, “By removing councillors from the appeals process, we risk losing the crucial link between the community and the decision-making body. Councillors are elected to represent the concerns of local residents and to ensure decisions are made in a fair and transparent manner. Removing this role takes away an important layer of accountability that benefits our constituents.”
The Liberal Democrats' decision to remove councillors from the panel is a troubling step away from open, democratic decision-making. It replaces elected representatives with officers who, while professional and capable, do not have the same direct accountability to residents. For families navigating the appeals process—many of whom are in difficult or exceptional circumstances—this direct access to councillors ensures that their cases are given the thoughtful, locally informed consideration they deserve.
Wokingham Conservatives believe that the role of elected officials in operational decisions like this is crucial for maintaining a fair and responsive process. We will continue to advocate for councillor involvement and urge the Liberal Democrats to reconsider this misguided policy. We encourage residents to stay engaged with their councillors, who will continue to make written representations on their behalf in the absence of councillor participation on the appeals panel.
A report on the impacts of this change is expected to be published, and we will closely monitor its findings to ensure that the needs of Wokingham families are not sidelined in the name of administrative efficiency. The Wokingham Conservatives remain committed to defending the rights of residents to have their voices heard and represented in all key decisions affecting their lives.
