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This Open Letter to the Cabinet members is from Councillor Nick Stuart (LibDem). Ed
On Tuesday night at Corporate Scrutiny Committee I went in with several questions and concerns. It was clear that Councillor Bacon supported by a dedicated set of Officers have put in an enormous amount of detailed work before taking the difficult decisions on a School Closure plan and I wish this could be supported but….
The process has basic flaws and as the decision making body I recommend you delay action until you have satisfied yourselves you have the agreement of all parties to the selection process.
Why these six schools?
With my Government experience I have pointed out in public and privately for over two years that it is essential to have the criteria for a school planning process agreed by all stakeholders before you start the process of selection.
It is bizarre that there is no agreed set of criteria with appropriate weighting and a matrix for decision making.
How much will this cost?
There is no clarity of how the stated cost of delaying a decision of some £5 million has been reached and no analysis of the effects of external delays or of mitigation by taking alternative approaches.
Real Consultation?
There was extensive contact from the Council and Administration and a full collection of opinions from stakeholders. But a genuine consultation suggest real outcomes and I do not see any significant changes to the recommendations.
The enormous numbers of documents detail the parameters of the six chosen schools, but utterly fail to show why these were chosen ones from the whole Island cohort. While hundreds of pages of considered opinion and suggestions from residents and organisations are summarised and dismissed.
Academy schools should have been pursued
The fact that 3 out 4 four Academy schools refused to engage with the Council is a scandal and should have been pursued vigorously as it clearly makes a mockery of the whole Island process.
It appears, even if unfair, as if a decision was made at the start to close these six schools and this is simply a justification.
A headlong rush towards another crash
As a teacher in the aftermath of the 2011 reorganisation I saw damaged staff and issues for cohorts of children. And yet I see a headlong rush towards another crash.
In spite of the theatrical antics of some Councillors this is a very real issue affecting Islanders. Please consider very carefully the concerns raised as this flawed process has already damaged communities. While the Council faces possible action by concerned residents and organisations such as the Church of England that may derail the process anyway.
A professional and political approach required
The schools in my area remain supported, for now, so my interest is in the welfare of the residents of the Isle of Wight.
We need a professional and political approach that involves all interested parties in creating and shaping the criteria, and then making decisions on the shape of the school offering on the Island.
