Social inequality and mental wellbeing concerns have been raised over the Isle of Wight council’s school closure proposals.
In separate questions posed at County Hall on Thursday evening, councillors Joe Lever and Michael Lilley probed the council on whether it has taken into account socio-economic disparities between communities and if it intends to conduct a mental wellbeing analysis regarding school plans.
Lever: Not all parents do have the same choice as others
Councillor Lever, representative for Carisbrooke and Gunville, brought up his query in relation to parental choice and travel.
He said,
“Due to many factors not all parents do have the same choice as others in reality.
“Has the socio-economic make up of areas been considered up to this point in the process to mitigate against the less well off communities being disproportionately affected by school closures?”
Equality impacts needs assessments
Jade Kennett, service manager for strategic development at the council, said,
“As part of the equality impacts needs assessment that will be undertaken on the individual proposals, that will detail and include all of that assessment as you would expect it to do.
“So yes, all of that has been considered.”
Lilley: Mental health concerns
Councillor Lilley, who represents Ryde Appley and Elmfield, said,
“I’m concerned about the mental wellbeing of all the people involved in this process because people are still going through a cost of living crisis, they’re still recovering from Covid and in fact, we’ve got a very strong amount of Covid that’s back into the community.”
He flagged up figures on mental health on the Island, with high numbers of children accessing mental health services and going into hospital because of mental health issues.
“I want to make sure that under the commitment of this council, which is linked into the mental health challenge which we signed up to some years ago, that there will be as part of the final report a mental wellbeing analysis.”
Whittaker: It’s difficult for everybody
Ashley Whittaker, the council’s director of children’s services, said,
“We are doing what we can to mitigate the impact of these proposals on our communities.
“I absolutely acknowledge that it’s difficult and as you said it’s difficult for everybody.
“We will continue to work with staff through the offer that we have through our HR teams and by working with the other HR providers that schools commission to do what we can to promote positive emotional wellbeing and mental health.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
