Concern Over
Cabinet Judgement on Academy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Cabinet decision to press ahead with their
proposals for an Academy in Strood has raised concern amongst
Chapter campaigners and members of the Labour Group.
Although reference was made to the meeting with Lord Adonis on
Friday, Cabinet members did not state that they would follow his
guidance, especially on the central issue of a gradual integration
of pupils.
However, the campaign will continue as the decision has been called
in by the Labour Group, to ensure the SOCK proposals are given a
fair hearing and to get assurances from the Tories that Lord
Adonis’ guidance is followed.
Cllr Bill Esterson, Labour Group Spokesperson for Childrens
Services, said,
“I am very concerned that the Tories have no intention of keeping
to the agreements reached last Friday. Bob Marshall-Andrews
got assurances, contained in the letter from Lord Adonis, that a
phased approach would be taken and that the new Academy would build
on the Chapter ethos and achievements.”
“We have called in the issue to ensure that this happens. I
know the Tories are quite happy to ignore public opinion, but to
ignore the minister holding the purse strings would be
foolish.”
Cllr Stephen Hubbard, Councillor for Strood North, who attended the
meeting, said,
“The Tories avoided any real debate. The portfolio holder
read out the text verbatim from the report for nearly 25 minutes,
and another Cabinet member read further extracts. Whether
they’re incapable or unwilling to discuss the issue, or just wanted
to bore people into submission remains to be seen.”
“They avoided saying that they had not bothered to meet with SOCK
until Monday, and that in fact Lord Adonis knew what was going on
because he’d been briefed by our Labour MP. It was all just
waffle and patronising platitudes.”
ENDS
For further comment please contact Cllr Stephen Hubbard on 01634
712129 or Mobile: 07887 714757, or Cllr Teresa Murray on 01634
409486, or Mobile: 07855 378043. Alternatively contact the
Group office on 01634 332393.
|
