By Carole Dennett
After a week that brought criticism from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, the threat of strike ballots and a meeting with the Bishop of Portsmouth, the final decision on closing five Island primary schools, due to be taken yesterday (Thursday) has been delayed.
The scrutiny committee complained earlier this week that it had not been given enough time to properly deal with around 1,700 pages of information before it met on Tuesday and asked the Cabinet for a two-week delay.
On Tuesday a letter was sent informing the Cabinet that five trade unions, the National Education Union (NEU), UNISON, NASUWT, NAHT and GMB, were organising “indicative/consultative ballots for industrial action” at the five primary schools threatened with closure; Arreton St Georges CE, Brading CE, Cowes, Oakfield CE and Wroxall.
And on Wednesday, the IW Council leader and Cabinet member for education, Cllrs Phil Jordan and Jonathan Bacon, and the officer responsible for Children’s Services, Ashley Whittaker, travelled to Fareham to discuss with Bishop Jonathan the proposals to close the three Church of England schools, which he has threatened to take to the Schools Adjudicator, who has the power to confirm or overturn any decision.
At last night’s Cabinet meeting, Cllr Bacon asked for the decision on closures to be delayed until March 20 as requested “in the interests of proper scrutiny and transparency”.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bacon said: “We recognise the importance of scrutiny and, while a one-week deferral would have been preferable to avoid the impact that will occur on the staff dealing with primary school admissions, we have agreed to Scrutiny’s request for a delay.
“I recognise that any delays in this process cause anxiety and potential distress but it is important that proper scrutiny of such important proposals is able to take place.
“I remain committed to this process due to the fact that it is key to the improvement of educational standards on the Island which we desperately need to achieve.”
