Issue - meetings

(1)       The Director – Operations circulated an appendix detailing the final analysis of the written responses which had been received in respect of the consultation.  This showed that out of 600 consultation documents which had been distributed, 9 responses had been received, all of which expressed support for the proposal.

(2)       Mr Doole said that the school’s Adjudicator had approved the proposal to close Melbourne Community Primary School and the Powell School with effect from 31 August 2007 to establish a newly amalgamated school from1 September 2007.  At that time, the Adjudicator made a modification to the proposal which required that the new school should operate initially on split site locations.  That was done in order to allow for appropriate improvements and adaptations to be made to the Powell site.  The original proposal was that both schools should be consolidated onto the Powell site and the school would have an age range of 4-11.  The proposal therefore encompassed the closure of the existing Unit at the Melbourne site.

(3)       It was agreed by all parties that consolidation into a single site should be deferred until September 2008.  However, a further modification to the original published proposal was made determining that the age range of the new school should be 3-11 allowing the Nursery Unit to continue until the Melbourne site was closed.  When Green Park Community Primary School consolidate in September 2008 onto the Powell site it would become difficult and impractical for the school to continue to manage the maintained Nursery.  Initial discussions have, therefore, taken place with UMBRELLA, the current children’s centre provider about the possibility in principle of relocating to the maintained Nursery Unit accommodation.  The relocation of the pre-school provision to the Melbourne site would ensure that the excellent facilities afforded by the maintained Unit would continue to be available to the local community.  The accommodation would also provide an improved environment for the pre-school children attending UMBRELLA which is currently located in St Nicholas Church hall. 

(4)       Mr Newman said that in the circumstances he believed this to be a good proposal.  The current Nursery Unit was under used and with the safeguards and guarantees that had been given about future provision, he supported the proposal although on-going monitoring would be important.  Mr Newman also said that it was important that local Members were kept informed and advised as proposals are being progressed and in conclusion said that given the local circumstances it was better to have a going concern which would attract parents to use this Nursery.

(5)       Mr Cowan said that local Members were given insufficient notice about the commencement of the consultation process.  He said the Melbourne site was a fantastic facility and he questioned what would happen to the remainder of the site and would it be used for community purposes.  Mr Cowan also said that he had concerns about the future of the existing staff. 

(6)       In response to the local Member’s comments Mr Doole said that officers always tried  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2