A campaign group that spent months battling to save an Isle of Wight town’s primary school has called for their local ward councillor to resign.
In a statement on Friday, Save Brading School called for the now former cabinet member Councillor Jonathan Bacon to step down from his position as Brading’s County Hall representative “after not speaking” for the town during the closures process.
Resigned from Cabinet
The group’s intervention comes as Councillor Bacon resigns from his Cabinet position, exasperated over his colleagues’ vote to close two primary schools but keep three open. He resigned from cabinet on Thursday afternoon.
Councillor Bacon has been at the forefront of the council’s closure plans which, in his resignation statement, he described as ‘fundamentally linked to trying to improve educational standards on the Island’.
Campaigners: It is time he steps down from his position as ward councillor
A spokesperson for Save Brading School said,
“Obviously, we are very happy that this process, which has been riddled with problems from the start, has ended for Brading.
“Our thoughts are with the families and staff of Arreton and Cowes who are still living this nightmare.
“With regards to the resignation from cabinet of Jonathan Bacon it is time he steps down from his position as ward councillor after not speaking for Brading in this process?”
Since last September, Save Brading School has organised anti-closure protests and meetings with Isle of Wight East Wight Conservative MP, Joe Robertson, a staunch critic of the closure proposals.
Councillor Bacon has been approached for comment.
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
