Last week we reported Loss Of £7m Govt Funding To Schools Not True. In order to provide balanced reporting, we requested a statement from the Council, which raised further questions for us.
We raised our concerns with the press office and in an unofficial statement, a member of the press office stated that we were getting our figures mixed up and that David Pugh has never said that the loss of £7m related to surplus places.
We were a little perturbed to hear this coming out from the press office, as many people that we had spoken to thought that David Pugh had stated many times in public and on IW Radio that if we don’t close primary schools to reduce surplus school places, we will lose £7 million funding from the government.
Naturally our email response was …
You’re right, it is confusing. Confusing as to where the truth in this is.
You state that the council has not said it will ‘lose’ seven million in funding as a result of surplus places.
On 28 Jan, in front of a public audience at Ventnor Middle, David Pugh said
“We heard Steve refer of (sic) the £10 million that we used to have for improving our school buildings on the Isle of Wight receive, that’s gone down to a £3m basic grant.
To get back any of that money back and to get additional funding to do even the most basic maintenance of school buildings, we need to meet very strict criteria, that is to reduce our surplus places in our schools from 30% to less 10%.”
Directly linking the loss of £7 million, with the reduction in school places.
Which is correct?
We sent this on Friday at 1:22pm. To date, despite many email reminders, we have still not had an official reply to our simple question.
What they have said is that they have a statement, but it has to be signed off (this was yesterday). Nearly three hours ago we got another delaying email, “Apologies on the delay, but I am just awaiting one final email from an officer before I can send this to you.” Well, we don’t feel that this important matter can wait any longer.
We’re not sure why it is taking so long for the press office to get a response to us. Surely the answer would be either, sorry the press office got it wrong, or David Pugh got it wrong.
As to why, by late Wednesday lunchtime — nearly five days later — have we still not received answer to clear up this simple ‘misunderstanding’?
If you weren’t able to go along to the public meetings or tune into IW Radio and hear for yourself David Pugh stating that unless the council tackle surplus places they will lose £7m, click on the play button below and listen now (it a couple of mins).
[audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/david-pugh-ventnor-presentation.mp3]
UPDATE: Five minutes in to the show,we ‘ve been told that David Pugh WON’T be on, despite 10 minutes ago, Dyke saying he would be. Make up your own mind as to why he’s not open for public questioning.
