During the day on Monday, a decision was made by Cllr Alan Wells that Christ The King College should be established starting 1 Sept 2008. This was carried out BEFORE the public release of the results of the school survey.
The decision was made under delegated powers, that is, there was no public debate about it, or public record of how the decision was made – just that it was made.
You would have thought that a decision about the formation of a new school — particularly one of a faith school — would have been discussed in the open, where interested parties, like the parents whose children might be affected by a decision like this, would be able to have their say, but for some reasons no, it was just handed down as a fait accompli.
Lumley calls foul
Cllr Geoff Lumley was aware of the decision coming up and, in advance of the meeting, questioned the legitimacy of making such a major decision behind closed doors.
On his blog, Lumley, claims that the decision is Misleading.
Delegated decisions are supposed to be forewarned in something called the Forward Plan. This one wasn’t.
Lumley goes on to point out that when he’s made point for consideration about a delegated decision previously, he’s received “a considered reply before they made the decision.”
He goes on to point out that “it’s called going thought the process,” and closes with “this decision stinks.”
Is this wise?
The Council is already on pretty shaky ground on schools with many people on the Island thinking that the views of the public are being ignored and that major changes are being rail-roaded through.
It appears unwise, to say the least, to be making such major decisions about the formation of a school behind closed doors.
