Following On The Wight’s report last week of yet more delays to the completion of Cowes Enterprise College, it has been announced today that two senior council officers have been suspended over the matter.
Janet Newton, the deputy director for schools and education service, has been suspended pending investigation, along with another un-named officer.
Unanswered questions
On 8th November (13 days ago) On The Wight wrote to Leader of the council, David Pugh asking, “What is your view on the failure of senior staff at the council to take control of the building project at Cowes Enterprise College?
“Which of them will you be insisting resigns, or failing that, is sacked?”
Prior to this morning, we had received no response from the Leader of the council to our questions of 13 days ago, save an automated reply stating he’d be out of the office until 14th November, seven days ago.
Belated response
After contacting the press office this morning, we received a belated reply from David Pugh, in which he included the following statement from Steve Beynon, adding that he fully supported the action which has been taken.
Suspended pending outcome of internal investigation
IW Council chief executive Steve Beynon said: “Two members of council staff have been suspended, as a precautionary measure, pending the outcome of an internal investigation into the management of the contract for the Cowes Enterprise College build.
“The Council’s overriding priority is to ensure that the new school building is complete, safe and ready to be used as soon as possible. To make this happen, a new project team has been assembled, drawing on experience from across the local authority. The responsibility for schools capital and assets has been transferred to the Directorate for the Economy & Environment, overseen by Stuart Love.
“The governing body and trust of Cowes Enterprise College have been kept fully informed of these developments and we continue to work closely with them.”
More unanswered questions
On the 8th November we also wrote to the council press office, asking the following questions about Stuart Love, Strategic Director of Economy and Environment.
Stuart says, “Having seen first hand the amount of work that is required to finish off the building.”
Was his first visit only recently?
How many visits has Stuart Love made to site? What dates?
What is Janet Newton’s view on the delay?
The questions were passed from a junior officer to the Head of Press to be dealt with. At time of publishing this article, the council have failed to answer these simple questions.
Background on Janet Newton
Readers may remember that Janet Newton joined the council, to high praise back, in 2009 at the same time of Roger Edwardson. A press release from the council at the time said,
Janet Newton has a wealth of experience in local authority education having worked for a number of councils including Lancashire County Council, and presently, Wigan Council where she is Service Director for ‘Wigan Schools for the Future’.
She has extensive experience of BSF having been a project director in both Lancashire and Wigan and has delivered key note speeches to national audiences on delivering capital projects, BSF, Private Finance Initiatives and management risks.
In the press release Steve Beynon enthused, saying the selection panel were very impressed with the new officer,
Isle of Wight Council Chief Executive Steve Beynon said “Both these roles have vital parts to play in the council’s vision to improve educational standards on the Isle of Wight.
“The selection panel was very impressed by both Janet and Roger respectively who demonstrated a clear passion for the work they do. Both are looking forward to using their knowledge and skill to help improve outcomes for children and young people on the Island and build on our already acknowledged successes.”
Council leader David Pugh also highlighted the vast experience of Janet Newton, saying,
Cllr David Pugh, Isle of Wight Council Leader said “I look forward to working with both Janet and Roger who will both be a major part of the future of education services on the Island.
“Both are vastly experienced officers in local government and I welcome both to the Isle of Wight”
