A Lanarkshire MSP has criticised South Lanarkshire Council for 'disruptive delays' in school appeal decisions.
Parents or guardians have the right to appeal a decision if the council has denied their request for their child to be sent to a school not in their catchment area.
But many parents are still waiting for the results of the appeal.
The hearings are normally heard within 28 days, however due to May’s local authority election this has not been the case.
The council’s education appeals committee, who can overturn a placing request rejection has yet to be formed leaving parents and children not knowing which school they will be attending in August.
Residents from both Cambuslang and Rutherglen have been in contact with their local MSP with major concerns about the uncertainty being created.
Council officials have been unable to provide a timeframe for appealed requests.
Clare Haughey has written to the council’s new Leader, Joe Fagan, urging him to ensure the quasi-judicial appeals panel is up and running quickly and that it begins to sit “as soon as possible thereafter” to decide on appeals.
She told Lanarkshire Live : “The situation some of my constituents and their children are experiencing is completely unacceptable. They’ve been left in limbo with no indication whatsoever when appealed school placing decisions will be determined.
“As a result, these children and young people still do not know what school they will be attending in little over two months’ time causing undue stress and anxiety.
“The council must form this committee at the first possible opportunity and appeal hearings need to take place as soon as possible thereafter.
“Instead of dragging their heels, this matter should have been a priority for the new council to give much needed clarity to pupils and their parents and guardians.”
A spokesperson for SLC told us : “There are changes to the membership of the education appeals committee changes after every local authority election, and appeals regarding decisions on placing requests cannot be heard until members have been appointed.
"This has now happened and appeals are now scheduled, and this process has taken no longer than at the start of previous council terms."
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
