Two prominent Isle of Wight councillors have lodged motions to be voted on at a landmark County Hall debate this evening (Wednesday), focussing on proposals to close five primary schools.
Cllr Michael Lilley wants the current school place plan, which includes the closure proposals, to be withdrawn until ‘new agreed criteria’ and ‘methodology’ is developed under a new committee system in later this year.
The Isle of Wight Council is due to replace its current Cabinet governance model with a committee system in May.
Meanwhile, Cllr Geoff Brodie, who represents Pan and Barton, has put forward a motion proposing Full Council holds an indicative vote on whether it supports or opposes each of the statutory closure notices, issued on January 3.
It adds Full Council’s votes will be part of the four-week statutory consultation on the closure proposals currently underway and ‘will not bind’ Cabinet when it reaches its final decision on March 6.
Notices were issued for Arreton St George’s CE Primary School, Brading CE Primary School, Cowes Primary School, Oakfield CE Primary School and Wroxall Primary School.
Cllr Lilley, representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, said:
“I have personally supported and continue to support Oakfield CE Primary School in their fight against the closure of their school as the local ward councillor for Ryde Appley and Elmfield.
“I feel it would be a huge loss to the community and will be detrimental to the children whose lives have changed for the better by such a caring, nurturing and holistic school environment.
“However, overall, alongside my Lib Dem colleagues (councillors Andrew Garrett, Nick Stuart and Sarah Redrup) I am concerned about whether there has been a fair and reasonable process and lack of criteria which has been highlighted by school headteachers, staff, parents, including key stakeholders such as Portsmouth CE Diocese.
“We feel that the current report fails to enable a fair and reasonable decision made by cabinet and councillors and the fairest option is to withdraw the report.”
A report signed by Ashley Whittaker, director of children’s services, and Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member for children’s services, education and corporate functions, was presented to the Cabinet prior to its December 12 vote to press ahead with the five closure proposals.
It said:
“The overall number of primary pupils is forecast to decrease from 9,300 in 2017, to 7,640 in 2027.
“The consequences of having too many surplus places can be severe.
"The main impact on schools of surplus places due to falling rolls is the resulting reduction in individual school income, which without a corresponding reduction in costs, results in a deterioration in the school’s overall finances.”
The report recommended closures due to a ‘significant reduction’ in Island birth rates.
Action was proposed to ensure ‘demand and capacity are aligned’ so the council continues to provide the ‘best outcomes’ for children.
The council’s statutory consultation will finish on February 3.
Tomorrow’s Extraordinary Full Council meeting gets underway from 6pm.
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