The Isle of Wight Council’s Alliance administration has issued an apology for the ‘unnecessary distress and uncertainty’ caused by recent announcements about schools and has vowed to refresh and renew their approach.
Admitting that things should have been handled differently, they say that they have listened and learned from these events and have reflected on what was said in the debate that took place.
The furore followed the shock announcement of the closure of 4 Island Primary schools and a subsequent U-turn from the Council. They then faced a serious backlash about how the matter was handled.
On top of all this, it was then announced that Hampshire County Council has begun the process of ending the Council’s partnership for the provision of Children’s Services, including education.
The Alliance administration now say that their 1st priority must be to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to whatever new partnership or arrangement is best for them going forward.
They have announced that the Leader of the Council, Lora Peacey Wilcox, who is responsible for Strategic Partnerships, will lead the process of determining the way Children’s Services will be managed on the Island going forward and whatever new partnership might be appropriate. They say that the issue is of such fundamental importance to the future of the Island, that nothing less is appropriate.
However, the Alliance also say that this change presents them with an opportunity to refresh and renew the approach with regards to education provision on the Island, both in terms of its structure and educational standards.
The Leader will therefore also take on responsibility for the Council’s role and duties in respect of education and says that this process must include parents, carers and pupils as well as gathering the views of educational professionals including teachers, headteachers and governors.
Such an understanding will properly inform any proposals that may come forward in the future. To achieve this, under the leadership of Councillor Peacey Wilcox, they have committed to undertake public information sharing and Q&A sessions to provide information but, above all, to listen to all sides.
Councillor Debbie Andre will retain responsibility for Children’s Services and lifelong skills and will also take on the role of Cabinet lead for issues relating to poverty.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Lora Peacey Wilcox, said:
“Facing us right now is an opportunity to dig deep with the goal of seeking the appropriate way forward as to how we can address the problems within our local education system. We cannot pretend that there are not issues facing us, both in how the education system operates on the Island, but also in respect of the results we are achieving.
“A fuller understanding of the problems and the options (some of which may not have previously presented themselves) is essential to finding a way forward. The steps we are now taking and the debate we will be launching, of which details will follow next month, is not about avoiding the issues that have to be addressed, but about ensuring we are ready to tackle them and that we do so together.
“This will not be an easy process but you have my assurance that during it we will provide as much support for schools as we can. In the meantime I would like to sincerely thank all the parents, children and school staff, for their forbearance and understanding and, I also hope, support as we move forward with a new focus on how we can develop and deliver the very best solutions to our local education system for our children’s futures.”
Have you noticed of late, if you screw up badly over a wrong decision or action and say SORRY, that’s the end of the matter. In my day the individual or group who cocked up would be held to account and the appropriate action taken .I’m not talking about small errors of judgement.
If the Council is starting to offer apologies for what they do, then they’re going to be apologising on a weekly basis.
Can we expect an apology and U-turn on their policy of granting planning permission for hundreds of unwanted new homes across the Island?
Further to your comment on new homes, have you noticed how Many little developments of several houses some of them which will be well out of reach of most working people. The number of new builds which are being built must run very high 5 – 10 here and there soon mount up with nothing but reduction in services
Is this a government training scheme for councillors. You should of known all about this, you are supposed to be running the island, but no. Totally useless from the outset. A double barrelled name doesn’t make you clever, but it does fool some people into thinking you are, get rid of this lot as soon as possible.
It really is about time people stopped voting based on political party allegiances because they have no bearing on the issues that the council must address on the island. We need honest local people who care about their communities to take over this council. End the whiff of corruption attached to every property deal and stop the absolute incompetence that we all suffer on a daily basis. We pay among the highest council tax rates in the country for terrible services. Why does it take months or years to make simple repairs to roads, steps, etc? Why does the council wait for sea walls to collapse before taking action? Why do the council think it is acceptable for Island Roads to spread chaos, even in the peak holiday season? Stop them!
Totally agree, just wish more would stand for local elections preferably those who are actually interested in the whole island not just their patch as people do move from one town to another.
Good it was acknowledge but to be honest it should never have happend in the first place. Do any of the Councillors know what their roles as Councillors entail? No – then learn and learn quickly and act accordingly as some of you are a disgrace to those that voted you in, same goes for MP’s.