The council shares this update on the Jon Platt school holiday fines court case. Ed
The Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb, MP, has formally requested that the Isle of Wight Council makes an application for permission to appeal against the High Court judgment of 13 May, in relation to unauthorised school absence.
As a result, the Isle of Wight Council has today (Thursday) formally submitted papers applying for permission to appeal.
DfE to cover costs
The request for the council to make an application for permission to appeal comes with a commitment from the Department for Education (DfE) to meet the council’s costs of applying to the High Court (and, if refused, to the Supreme Court) for permission to appeal, and other future costs. DfE counsel will make submissions in support of the application.
If an appeal is granted by the High Court or, subsequently, the Supreme Court, the department has stated it will specifically seek to be joined as a party to the proceedings and take the lead in the appeal.
Isle of Wight Council leader, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said:
“Our initial response was not to expend further Isle of Wight Council money on pursuing an appeal.
“However, as a result of the formal request from the minister, the local and national importance of this issue and the DfE’s commitment to cover all the costs of the appeal and contribute to the council’s previous costs, we have decided to lodge an appeal in order to resolve the issue for all.”
