Request 101004076491

I request copies of the school transport policy, and any associated guidance or procedures, that were in force immediately before Moray Council’s revised school transport policy was approved by Full Council on 24 September 2025.
In particular, I request the following:
1. Previous policy wording: A complete copy of the school transport policy in force immediately before the September 2025 changes, including its publication date, version number and any relevant appendices and the date it was taken offline.
2. Police Scotland review provision: The exact wording of any provision stating that parents or carers who disagreed with the Council’s assessment of a walking route as safe could contact Police Scotland for a review, and that the Council would accept or act upon the police’s decision.
3. Revised policy: A copy of the revised policy approved on 24 September 2025, including the version published online and the date it was first made available to the public online.
4. Changes between versions: Any document, amendment schedule, tracked-change version or other record identifying the changes made to the policy, particularly any changes relating to:
a) Police Scotland’s involvement in reviewing disputed walking routes;
b) who has authority to determine whether a walking route is safe;
c) the process for parents or carers to challenge a route-safety decision; and
d) any independent review or appeal mechanism.
5. Reasons for removing the provision: Any recorded information explaining why the previous provision concerning Police Scotland reviews was removed or amended, including relevant committee reports, policy-development documents, consultation responses, meeting minutes or decision records.
6. Alternative safeguards: Any policy or procedural documents explaining what review, appeal or independent scrutiny is available under the revised policy where parents or carers disagree with a Council officer’s assessment that a walking route is safe.
7. Implementation and communication: Any guidance or instructions issued to relevant Council officers about the change to the review process and how parents should raise or challenge concerns about the safety of a walking route.