In addition to the brief report regarding the Town Council’s views of the schools proposals posted earlier in the week, is a more detailed report of events within this post. Rest of TC meeting notes also follow below. Ed
Monday night the Ventnor Town Council agreed that it was not happy with the proposals put forward.
It appreciates that there may have to be losses but expects to be fully consulted on all detail, including possible new uses for existing school facilities as community facilities.
A two tier model was preferred in keeping all three primary schools, and giving the children an extra two years in primary.
Brenda Lawson proposed the decision and Steve Milford supported it and emphasised the need to focus on a two tier model.
Abstentions: JFB, SS (both still in discussions at County Council level) and Colin Elvers (on the board of St Margaret’s).
Declarations of interest
JFB stated neither he nor SS should not engage actively in the debate or vote, as they were still involved in discussions at County level and they were not concluded. In the end he did speak, but not to argue any points, but to pose an interesting what if scenario if St Boniface was to close.
He asked the members to imagine St Boniface being used as a multi faceted community centre with an accessible library (moved from where it is now), and advice centre, and nearby outdoor games area (lower half of St Boniface playing area and already in discussion).
In practice, both SS and JFB made comments. Only Colin Elvers kept totally quiet.
Colin Elvers said he would not speak as he was on the board of St Margaret’s. He did not say anything.
On this occasion, although Steve Milford should have declared an interest, as prior, due to his union interests, he did not declare an interest.
Val Taylor was absent.
Against: Brian Lucas
JFB provided some interesting stats for primary level:
St Boniface: 71 pupils against 115 budget Cost of education per child per year: £3.8K
St Margaret’s 53 pupils against 90 budget Cost of education per child per year: £4.5K
St Wilfred’s 123 pupils against 110 budget Cost of education per child per year: £3.2K
He noted that Ventnor Middle School has 429 pupils against a 520 budget.
He pointed out that only 50% of children coming to St Wilfred’s live within 2 miles of the school.
Buster Bartlett did not feel the good points of argument made by Ventnor Town Council will be paid attention to by the Isle of Wight Council
Robbie Mew said that there were too many high schools in the north of the Island. He felt the Ventnor Middle School would make for a good high school.
He also bemoaned the loss of a “trades” school, and a wish for a return to a practical skills based education and training.
Susan Scoccia said she believed this to be part of the National Government 14-19 Agenda.
Steve Milford was concerned about the merging of St Wilfred’s and St Boniface and becoming a new faith school. He was concerned that options 2 and 3 would not leave a non faith school in Ventnor. (? There isn’t a non faith school in Ventnor at the moment anyway – which is why many Ventnor children attend Niton, so a bit confused by this statement ? Ed)
He wished to see more sharing between St Margaret’s and Ventnor Middle.
Susan Scoccia pointed out that so far she has only has two emails from concerned parents, and we have two primary schools operating with only enough children for one.
Brian Lucas returned to the points he made in the previous TC meeting where he emphasised the logic of voting for one option and then discussing the detail, rather than discussing broad detail in the absence of a firm decision whether to go 2 or 3 tier. He was clearly very frustrated, and that evidenced in the final vote when he was the only objector (in the room).
He also emphasised that “we are not talking about buildings, but children”. “We need a radical change, but we will support only one option”.
For background information, please look at:
VTC Rejects All Three Options and VTC Report 11 Feb and the most recent Association of Local Councils Oppose School Reforms.
An application was presented to the Town Council for endorsement by the Carnival committee to gain a grant from the IWC Community Chest of £900 for a Barn for the storage of the Town Carnival equipment. This was supported.
Planning agenda:
As usual please click on the hyperlinks to go to the application files.
(All information, as usual, is courtesy of, and copyright of IW Council)
TCP/01936/P, P/00346/08
Ventnor Royal British Legion 133135 High Street Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO381LZ
Proposed smoking shelter.
The current objections focus on the impact of noise pollution.
Councillor: Jonny Fitzgerald-Bond
The current objections focus on the impact of noise pollution.
Approved
TCP/00376/H, P/00344/08
Land adjacent Somerford Belle Vue Road Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO38
Detached house alterations to vehicular access formation of new vehicular access for Somerford (revised scheme)
Councillor: Susan Scoccia
Refused on grounds of inadequate access.
Debby Robinson withdrew from voting as she declared an interest.
LDC/28879, P/00348/08
Cairngorm 45 Albert Street Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO381EU
Certificate of lawfulness for continued use of property as 4 flats
Councillor: Jonny Fitzgerald-Bond
Approved
TCP/28880, P/00356/08
High Firs Old Park Road Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO381XR
Single storey extension to enlarge garage alterations to enlarge parking area
Councillor: Susan Scoccia
Approved
TCP/14487/J, P/00358/08
Land between 35 and 37 Madeira Road Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO38
Partial demolition of front wall detached house with integral double garage vehicular access
Councillor: Jonny Fitzgerald-Bond
Refused on grounds of inadequate access.
TCP/05163/E, P/02982/07
Knights Court High Street Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO38
Telecommunications installation comprising 4 x pole mounted antennas 1 x wall mounted omniantenna 1 x transmission dish and associated roof mounted equipment cabinet
Councillor: Jonny Fitzgerald-Bond
Approved subject to shielding
