The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet will not vote on whether to proceed with the closure of 5 local primary schools as expected tonight (Thursday), with the decision to be deferred by ‘at least 2 weeks’.
Local families, school staff and the press have been anticipating that the axe would fall on Arreton, Brading, Cowes, Oakfield and Wroxall Primary Schools at County Hall this evening, but it has been confirmed that the matter is to be pushed back.
The Council’s Scrutiny committee unanimously agreed a motion on Tuesday stating the body had been ‘treated shamefully’ and that ‘any effective and meaningful scrutiny’ of the Cabinet’s expected decision to close 5 primary schools today would be ‘open to ridicule’.
Committee members received a 1,700-page report and appendices on the school closures just 3 working days before its meeting – when it is supposed to be at least 5 working days.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services and education, has said:
“Following the Scrutiny meeting on Tuesday and their request for additional time to scrutinise the Cabinet report on school planning, and having considered that request, I can confirm I shall be asking Cabinet not to consider the School Place Planning (SPP) item at tonight’s Cabinet meeting and to defer the decision”.
Bacons fried, maybe he ought just resign, as his callous acts of trying to save money by destroying schools will now be seen as a total act of an idiot.
Why keep putting off the inevitable.
Look at a previous article, get the 500 home school children back and keep the schools open.