Proposed Closure of Southend Primary School for Nov 2nd

[Ship called Dignity]

Deirdre, interesting reading. Out of interest what was the alternative proposed by SNP etc? Was it to throw out the proposals completely and start again? Sometimes difficult to keep up with all the news and this one is certainly complicated. Good luck to all of you at Southend!

[smiles]

Does the groups opposed to the school closures have an alternative?

[D.H]

Hi,

The proposed amendment was:

'The Council instructs the Council Officers to withdraw the complete list of schools listed for possible amalgamation and return to the Council early in the new year with a reduced list of schools drawn up along the following parameters:-


1. That the numbers on the school roll indicate that the demand from the community for places is reducing to such an extent that the school is no long sustainable.


2. That the maximum journey time for any primary school pupil from pick up by school transport will be 30 minutes.


Moved by Councillor Robert Macintyre, seconded by Councillor Donald Kelly.'

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=257&MId=4340

As to alternatives, I would like to see practical solutions that are realistic such as moving Admin Education staff into the schools that have suitable space. So that the education admin buildings can be sold or rented.

When Southend Primary was getting the new extension built a few years ago I suggested at a public meeting that the Council taps in to the renewable energy grants available from the Scottish Executive to cut down long term costs and let the children see renewables in action. The Council employee seemed surprised that such funds existed and said that he would look in to it. Sadly the Council did not include any renewables in the upgrade. A threatened school in another part of Argyll has shown the Council how it can generate income from renewables which I think they may consider now.

It is very difficult for us outside of the Council to assess where realistic savings can be made as we don't have access to how much people are paid or what job they do, or what the breakdown of the finances are. I think it is therefore unrealistic for constituents to come up with realistic savings. I can tell you that there are a few high profile candidates for sacking due to willful negligence in the Education Dept that I can think many campaigners could name that could probably save a big chunk of money.

It is my understanding that there are legal obligations on the Council to provide daily transport costs for a few years to teachers who are forced to move to another school due to closures. Headteachers will also be required to receive the same salary for three years even if they are no longer Headteachers. Lots of hidden costs.

[Kintyre Forum News]

Press release on the school closure proposal received from SNP

Mather Slams School closure proposals - “Riddled with errors”

In a hard hitting statement regarding the current consultation on school closures being progressed by the new Liberal, Conservative and Independent Administration on Argyll & Bute Council, Argyll & Bute MSP, and Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather said -

“Along with the SNP Group of councillors on the Council, I am keen to see this re-thought such that we avoid adverse impact on children, families, local communities and their economies, recognise the fact that the financial settlement from John Swinney is much better than was expected and recognise also that "savings" often either do not materialise or cost others dear.

I would also say that it is clear now to everyone that the school closure proposals from Argyll & Bute Council are riddled with errors and are also financially unnecessary as a result of the better than expected offer from the Scottish Government to all Scottish Local Authorities.

If the Council does not withdraw the closure list now then it should be vigorously opposed by every community and I commend the work of the Argyll Rural Schools Network in campaigning for the retention of many vital, effective and good rural schools in Argyll & Bute”

Speaking for the SNP group on Argyll & Bute Council as liaison on the school closure issue, councillor John Semple said
“We demand that the new administration listens, not just to the communities, not just to the MSP, but particularly to the MP Alan Reid, if he ever chooses to comment, I’m sure he must have something to say to the 6 Liberal Councillors who were prepared to vote through this fundamentally flawed consultation proposal. After all Mr Reid is well quoted on the importance of television reception in attracting families to rural communities and of course to the importance of rural post offices. What is his position on rural primary schools?”

On 25th November Argyll and Bute Council narrowly voted to consult on proposals which would close 25 rural Primary Schools
SNP Councillors walked out of Coalition administration in Protest
Lib Dem Councillors propped up Independents in power share deal

[Nancie]

Can't help but notice the similarities between the LibDem/Conservative coalition at Westminster and the Lib Dem/Tory/Independent coalition at Kilmory.

In Westminster Lib Dem broken promises on tuition fees - in Kilmory Lib Dem broken promises on school closures. Very cynical.

[D.H]

In case anyone is under the impression that the Education Dept is being objective or fair about the schools closure consultation please see the released emails from the very expensive 'independent' educational consultant, Keir Bloomer, apparently brought in to the process to ensure the process is fairly run but as you can see his remit was and is slightly different.

http://forargyll.com/2010/12/school-closures-keir-bloomer-1000-a-day-is-an-expensive-torpedo/

[D.H]

More on the expensive stitch up against parents and communities.

http://forargyll.com/2010/12/now-we-know-bloomer-wants-to-gag-councillors-at-public-meetings-on-school-closures/

just a flavour of this article - please click the link to see the fuller picture about the role of the 'independent' educational consultant.

'Bloomer assumes that he is to be given the job of presenting and primarily defending each proposal paper at each meeting. At £1000 cost per day, this adds up to a total hit on what we are told are strained council budgets of around £19,000. As they say, nice work if you can get it.

An objective process?

In defence of this, Bloomer says: ‘Using me can help to give the impression that the proposals are the outcome of an objective process.’

No one has ever been under the impression that they were the product of any such process – but it is reassuring to have this confirmed here, from the heart of the proposal team and to know that they see it as necessary to pretend that it was.'

[Asymetric]

Interesting reading:

http://forargyll.com/2010/12/argyll-fir ... uneration/

[D.H]

The non truths and misdirections start to unravel. From the Herald http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/council-misused-studies-to-back-school-closures-say-campaigners-1.1073976

EXCLUSIVE Ruth Wishart

13 Dec 2010

A local authority has been accused of by campaigners of using “a dodgy dossier” to back its proposed closure of 25 rural schools.

Argyll and Bute Council’s proposal document, circulated for consultation last month, uses the results of two academic studies to suggest school closures have a small impact on local communities compared with other issues.

Campaigners from the Argyll Rural Schools Network used Freedom of Information legislation to source the studies, and now say both were misrepresented and selectively quoted.

One was a three-year-old study which was specific to migration patterns in the Outer Hebrides.

The council used a sentence from it to suggest that the existence of a school was comparably less important to community sustainability than local employment, housing and other issues.

My research did not recommend the closure of rural primary schools

Helena Crow, researcher

The study was by Hall Aitken whose research director, Denis Donoghue, has told the Network that using his report in the way it has been is “wholly unjustified”.

Mr Donoghue said the paragraph in question referred to a scenario planning workshop with public-sector officials and council members, rather than a public survey or the result of research.

He added that both “learning skills and community infrastructure” were identified as key issues in the report, along with “continuing high-quality schools”.

The report concluded that efforts should be put into retaining more young people in the population, increasing the number of younger women and couples, and stabilising numbers of primary-school age children.

Mr Donoghue said: “The importance of primary schools to sustaining remote communities is widely acknowledged … Our more recent Orkney Population Study highlighted that ‘people often perceive that having a GP and a primary school are key services and when these go, the islands are under threat’.

“The inference [Argyll and Bute] draws about schools is not one that the vast majority of those reading the report (or even that section) would draw.”

Argyll and Bute’s consultation document also “took cognisance of” a Scottish Government report on rural migration published in September.

Researcher Helena Crow said: “My research did not recommend the closure of rural primary schools. It highlighted the importance of rural schools in enhancing the social and economic sustainability of some areas.”

She added that the nature and geographical bias of her report meant her study cannot be be taken as representative of any region of Scotland.

“It also makes it impossible to infer whether schools have more or less of an impact on sustain-ability than any other factors.”

Murdo MacDonald, convener of the Argyll Rural Schools Network, said yesterday: “Our councillors and the people of Argyll have been deliberately misled by those who drew up the school closure documents. Now that the dodgy dossier has been exposed, the council can dump it and remove this cloud from the children and communities of Argyll”

Argyll and Bute has already had to amend other parts of the consultation document after proposing to close Rosneath and Kilcreggan schools, leaving the Rosneath Peninsula with no primary. The revised document concedes more than 5000 extra personnel are due to be located there under MOD plans.

The council says it will save £12 million in three years from its education budget, over a third of its cuts package.

Cleland Sneddon, director of community services for Argyll and Bute Council, said: “There is absolutely no attempt to mislead people. We’re committed to providing a quality education service within the constraints of a reducing budget and we have been open about our consultation … The studies referred to quote a wide range of criteria to define a thriving and sustainable rural community.”



Council urged to sell off treasures to beat cuts

Argyll and Bute Council is facing calls to sell off its heirlooms after it was revealed it has a multi-million-pound hoard of “cash in the attic.”

The council, which does display some of these artefacts, has paintings by Scottish artist William McTaggart including one said to be worth more than £1 million, and nine gold civic chains inherited from the old burgh councils of Argyll. One of them, from Rothesay, has been valued at £75,000.

George McMillan, a former chairman of the old Argyll and Bute District Council, said Cam-pbeltown’s historic assets alone were worth more than £2m. He said: “There is cash in the attic, there must be millions of pounds sitting in storage … some things would be better off sold.”

Campbeltown Councillor Donald Kelly, from the Argyll First party, said: “I want to see front-line services protected and I think the council should be looking at every single avenue.”

[Kintyre Forum News]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL TO HAVE THEIR SAY

Argyll and Bute Council’s statutory consultation on proposals to amalgamate some primary schools started this week.

The consultation provides the opportunity for everyone to have their say – not just those with children of primary school age. The council hopes everyone in Argyll and Bute will come forward and give their views.

In addition to public meetings, feedback on the consultation can be given by phone, email or post.

Cleland Sneddon, executive director of community services, is confident the consultation will provide a useful platform for everyone across Argyll and Bute to get involved. He explains:

“We’ve already had some innovative suggestions from community groups who think they can find ways to reduce the costs associated with running our schools, without the need for closures. And that’s before the official consultation period actually starts. I’d urge anyone who has an opinion on this to get involved and let us know what they think.

“The consultation will help us identify alternative proposals and will highlight any inaccuracies in our current proposals. All of the information we receive will help councillors to make informed decisions when the consultation ends. That’s exactly what consultation is about.”

Argyll and Bute Council needs to reduce its overall budget of £277.6m. The education service currently accounts for 29% (£80m) of that sum.

The cut in grant funding for 2011/12 is £11.4m (4.94%), which effectively means that the council will have to cut its budget by about £15m after allowing for inflation etc.

This settlement figure, recently announced by the Scottish Government, is significantly worse (some £5.6m, almost double the Scottish average) than anticipated.

The education service needs to reduce its spend by £12 million over the next three years to meet its budget targets. If the education budget is protected, then bigger cuts will need to me made elsewhere.

Councillors agreed on 6 December to consult on proposals to amalgamate some primary schools, reducing the total number of primaries in Argyll and Bute by 25. If accepted, the proposals would generate almost £2 million in annual savings.

The eight week consultation period will officially end on 24 February, after which time councillors will use the information gathered to decide which, if any, of the proposals they will take forward.

Mr Sneddon continued: “Children in Argyll and Bute already receive a very high standard of education and this will continue. However, we can’t avoid the need to reduce the amount we spend.

“In addition, a significant proportion of primary schools are less than half full and school rolls are continuing to decline, with the result that the available budget is spread too thinly.

“In some places we’re spending more than £30,000 per year to educate a child and in other places it’s just £3,000. It’s not equitable and not sustainable.”

He added that spreading the education service’s resources over too large an estate simply does not make sense.

“We believe our proposals will protect the education of children and in some cases bring additional benefits. But we’re keen to hear if the rest of the community agrees, which is why we’re taking this to consultation,” Mr Sneddon said.

“The only way in which we can make a balanced judgment on how best to proceed once this consultation period is over is if we gather a comprehensive picture of the views of individuals and communities across Argyll and Bute.

“We are committed to wholly transparent and robust consultation. I would encourage anyone who has a view on this subject – whether in general or regarding a particular school or proposal – to play their part to ensure this process is as rigorous as possible.”

A summary of the proposals, together with a full copy of the documents, is available at www.education.ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk/schoolconsultations

Anyone wishing to write to the council in response can either email schoolconsultations@argyll-bute.gov.uk or write to Education Service, School Consultations, Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll House, Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8AJ.

The official consultation period runs from Monday, 13 December 2010 and ends on Thursday, February 24 2011.

Locations and times have been set for the public consultation meetings to discuss the council’s school amalgamation plans.

A meeting will be held for each proposal in either January or early February. In most cases, in response to requests from parents and others, the meetings will take place in a school which would close under the proposals. Where this is not feasible due to capacity or the locations being inappropriate, the meetings are arranged in the receiving school or local halls.


All meetings will be held at 7pm. The locations and dates are:

Hermitage Primary/Luss – Luss Village Hall – Thursday, January 27

Parklands – Parklands School - Thursday, January 20

Garelochhead/Rosneath/Kilcreggan –Rosneath Primary – Monday, January 24

Innellan/Toward – Toward Primary – Monday, January 10

Sandbank/Strone – Highgate Hall, Strone – Wednesday, January 19

Rothesay/North Bute – Port Bannatyne Village Hall – Thursday, February 3

Tighnabruaich/Strachur/Kilmodan – Kilmodan Primary – Monday, February 7

Castlehill/St Keirans – Castlehill Primary – Monday, January 17

Drumlemble/Southend - Southend Primary - Monday, January 17

Clachan/Rhunahaorine/Skipness/Glenbarr – Glenbarr Primary - Tuesday, January 18

Kilmartin/Dalmally/Ardchonnel – Dalmally Primary - Wednesday, January 19

Port Charlotte/Keills – Keills Primary - Tuesday, January 25

Ardrishaig/Achahoish – Achahoish Primary - Tuesday, January 11

Tayvallich/Ashfield – Ashfield Primary - Wednesday, January 12

Lochgilphead/Minard/Glassary – Lochgilphead Joint Campus – Wednesday, February 2

Taynuilt/Kilchrenan - Kilchrenan Primary - Thursday, January 13

Salen/Lochdonhead – Lochdonhead Primary - Monday, January 31

Dervaig/Ulva – Ulva Primary - Tuesday, February 1

Lochnell/Barcaldine/Achaleven/Ardchattan – Victory Hall, Benderloch – Wednesday, January 26


The full approach to consultation can be found on the council’s website at https://www.education.ea.argyll-bute.sc ... 010_CS.pdf. The timetable for consultation is as follows:

6 December 2010 Publish proposals and provide notice to all relevant

consultees

13 December 2010 Start statutory consultation period

24 February 2011 End of consultation period

10 March 2011 Forward to HMIE copies of the proposals, record of written and oral submissions from consultation process and other relevant documents

7 April 2011 HMIE submit their report to the Council on all Proposals

28 April 2011 Council publishes the Consultation Report, covering written and oral representations made during the consultation and matters raised in the HMIE report

19 May 2011 Authority can make formal decision to accept or reject proposals. Six week period starts to allow representations to the ScottishGovernment (3 weeks) and for the Government to decide whether to call in the proposals or not (3 weeks).

30 June 2011 Period for representations to the Scottish Government and possibility of call-in by the Scottish Government ends. Council can now implement any decisions taken with regard to the proposals.

[MattM]

An earlier poster on this thread suggested keeping Southend School open, closing Drumlemble school and sending the Drumlemble kids to one of the schools in the town.

I don't think Drumlemble School will close.

Does a certain Argyll & Bute Councillor not live right next door to Drumlemble School?

Personally I don't think either Drumlemble nor Southend should close. This is a political divide and rule stitchup.

Like the other thread about a certain councillor wanting to sell off the antiques at the Hall Street Museum (which the Council don't actually own). Funny, that councillor lives at Drumlemble too.

Maybe it's the councillors that should be cut? Far too many of them. Far too expensive to run. Far too much luxury and bad money management at Kilmory.

Quite a disgrace to take the cost cutting out on the Kids.

Have you seen the nice cars these councillors drive. Lots of expense payments to help buy and run these go through Argyll and Bute Council expenses office.

Disgusted with a lot of them.

Matt.

[Asymetric]

An earlier poster on this thread suggested keeping Southend School open, closing Drumlemble school and sending the Drumlemble kids to one of the schools in the town.

I don't think Drumlemble School will close.

Does a certain Argyll & Bute Councillor not live right next door to Drumlemble School?

What difference does that make? Drumlemble Primary is not on the list of proposed closures (a list of proposals which Cllr Kelly voted to be thrown out)

Like the other thread about a certain councillor wanting to sell off the antiques at the Hall Street Museum (which the Council don't actually own). Funny, that councillor lives at Drumlemble too.

Where is the relevance in the above point. If Cllr Kelly mooted the idea of possibly selling off some assets to protect local essential services, why is it important where his house is?

Have you seen the nice cars these councillors drive. Lots of expense payments to help buy and run these go through Argyll and Bute Council expenses office.

A sad indictment of naivity and a shocking accusation.

People work hard doing their own job and also working for the community.
I'd like to refer you to the following link, I think you will see that Cllr Kelly was the 4th lowest of ALL Cllrs combined salary and expenses claims, furthermore I dont think this reflects the voluntary 10% pay cut he took and diverted the 10% into a trust fund for the benefit for the community.

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/content/d ... mberex0910

Disgusted with a lot of them.Matt.

As a good friend of Donalds and knowing the work he puts into being a Councillor, it is me who is disgusted at your post Matt.

Still everyone is entitled to their opinion, however inaccurate the opinion may be!

[MattM]

Dear "Friend of Donald's"

You put a strong case in support of your friend. Fairplay to you.

Unfortunately, I have seen enough of ALL councillors of ALL parties for many years to have a justified and cynical view of many of them.

The sad fact is that Argyll & Bute Council is a political disaster zone. After recent events, you CANNOT dispute that?

Your loyalty is admirable in a way. There is little point in referring to council details which can bolster the secondary points I have made. We are all entitled to our views and those are exercised at the ballot box. I know your friend has done a lot of good works for a lot of people. Again, fairplay to you. Personally I have been more than a little let down and didn't get the 110% your friend promised when he first stood for election.

So we would be well to agree to disagree.

However, my main point is (NOT for your friend, but the whole A&B Council) is who is standing up for the kids?

There is PLENTY of FAT to be culled from other council budgets. Do you recall what was spent on carpets alone at Kilmory Castle a few years ago? A&B Council are guilty of much bigger financial waste. The new white elephant pier at Dunoon anyone! Dear Asymetric, have you any idea how much council money was wasted on that??? Must be enough to run a few primary schools. As for expenses, it used to be a privilege to serve as a councillor, for which no payment was expected. Just take a look around the carpark at Kilmory at all the new staff and councillor cars. You are absolutely right that your friend has reduced his claims by 10% and SHOULD be commended for that. But these are nightmare times, and a LOT more needs to be cut from other budgets BEFORE schools.

Righteous indignation is all very well, but you missed a major point I made: NEITHER Southend School NOR Drumlemble should close.

Matt.

[WeeTownWeeYin]

Hi, just a wee point i noticed here. Pointing out what type of car a councillor has really has nothing to do with their pay packets. Many of the councillors all over A & B have other jobs outwith that of a councillor. They are council employees just like lots and lots of other people all over A & B. Other council employees don't have their possesions scrutinized as if it were the publics business so perhaps peoples personal lifes should be kept out of threads such as this.

Rural Schools are obviously a very large and important part of our community and im sure everyone who is supporting them will be doing their utmost to secure their future.

Im sure instead of attempting to undermine our local councillors we could be doing much more constructive things to help save the schools!

[Asymetric]

Matt,

If you are aware that the council has excess money in other areas that can used to save the schools why don't you raise the issue and tell people where? I'm sure the parents and children of all the schools would be pleased to know and this information could provide them with more ammunition when putting their case across.

The "largesse" you refer to regarding peoples cars is a little off the mark. Are you suggesting that all the council employees should have their wages cut so they cannot afford a car or a certain standard of car? Would that appease your anger at peoples personal possessions?

Still at least we agree on something...that the schools should remain open.