Governors and Councillors challenge the City Council over handling of school expansion (May 2009)

The Tory Council has been challenged by the local ward Councillor and Chair of Governors of Somerhill Junior School, over the handling of the proposed expansion of Davigdor and Somerhill Schools.

At a cabinet meeting in April, School Governor and local ward Councillor Melanie Davis questioned the Conservative Council’s approach to expanding Somerhill School.

“Parents, residents, students and future parents deserve to be treated more fairly,” said Cllr Davis. “They are right to be unhappy with the level of consultation so far. We are determined to get the best possible facilities for children in the area, whether that is through carefully thought-out and appropriate expansions or building more schools, but this can only be achieved if the Local Authority fully involves schools and parents when taking decisions that affect local children’s education.

“We will be asking that the Conservative Council ensure that parents, pupils, staff and local residents are properly consulted on any further developments.”

The Chair of Governors from Somerhill School, Mr Sam McGregor is also questioning why Davigdor and Somerhill schools have not been consulted together.
Sam McGregor added:

“At no time since January 2008 have Davidgor & Somerhill schools been consulted together, and any combined activities have been initiated by the schools, not the Local Authority. This could almost be considered a deliberate attempt to minimise engagement, despite words to the contrary.”

In a recently completed and short consultation process, (18 respondents – 3 for and 15 against), it was noted that some parents were against the expansion proposals and had highlighted that the potential problems of traffic in the area, the lack of detailed consultation between the two schools, the lack of outside space that would come about from the expansion and nearly all respondents ad asked the council to consider building another school.

Melanie Davis' letter to the Council is below...

Mr Alex Bailey
Acting Chief Executive
Brighton and Hove City Council

Dear Alex,

Davigdor Infants and Somerhill Junior Schools’ Expansion Plans

I would like this letter to be placed on the agenda of the next Children, Families and Schools’ Cabinet Member Meeting and for me to be able to attend to speak to it. I am writing in my capacity as Ward Councillor although I am also a school governor for Somerhill Junior School.

I am writing to express the considerable concerns that governors, parents and local residents have about the proposed Davidgor and Somerhill School expansion proposals. Many of these concerns centre around the perceived lack of consultation with governors and parents that has been exacerbated by the short timescale given for the proposed expansion programme. Those who are concerned seek to have the following assurances from the relevant Cabinet Members and the officers involved.

• That a new openness and willingness to collaborate is assured for all aspects of the consultative process for the proposed expansion, ie at all of the planning, approval and building stages for both schools on a shared site.

• As it is the Cabinet Member and officers’ wish to determine both schools’ expansion programmes together, that it is recognised by them that feedback from both schools should also be treated together and coordinated. This is especially important where the two schools are sharing facilities; e.g. kitchens, reception areas and outside space.

• That all of the current outside space for the two schools, i.e. play and sports areas, will be protected and every attempt made to maximise the existing space and to increase it where possible.

• That B&HCC will apply a strategic and 21st century vision for schools and include this proposed expansion to ensure that every opportunity for innovation and improvement is seized.• That B&HCC’s architects and planners will involve and consult with the two schools’ appointed working parties to seek their approval and to achieve the highest quality building that befits these two schools and the site they share.

• That all residents in surrounding streets affected by the building programme will be consulted by B&HCC’s Planning Department and be invited to view the architect’s plans at an early stage in the planning process.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Melanie Davis
Labour, Goldsmid ward.