“All we need to do is scare off the cabinet from making a decision” – those are the words of Joe Robertson MP over controversial school closure plans.
Speaking as a guest speaker at Councillor Michael Lilley’s ward meeting at St John’s Church in Oakfield, Ryde, Joe Robertson said himself and the Diocese of Portsmouth ‘showing a stronger hand’ prior to the cabinet’s decision may be enough to avert closures.
The Conservative politician previously said he believed 3 schools earmarked for closure – Oakfield CE Primary School, Brading CE Primary School and Wroxall Primary School – have a good case to remain open.
All 3 of the schools lie within his parliamentary constituency and are owned by the Diocese of Portsmouth.
He told the meeting:
“I’ve already written to Ashley Whittaker, the director of children’s services, had a meeting with him and Jonathan Bacon to share my objections to the closure of Oakfield – I used to be a governor of Oakfield – and to object to the closure of Brading and Wroxall as well.
“They’re not listening. I suspect probably the most likely best option, is if it goes to appeal and the diocese take it through the appeal stage, sadly.
“It’s very frustrating when you’re not listened to, and its frustrating when it’s effectively only seven people who will make a decision.”
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Mr Robertson offered to write to the cabinet to urge them to visit Oakfield school, saying “you can’t possibly make a decision if you’ve never visited”.
One meeting attendee said the cabinet informed her they were unable to attend the school due to legal dangers.
County Hall has said the closure plans are a response to a ‘significant decline’ in Island and national birth rates over the last 5 years.
There are currently 10,724 primary school places available on the Isle of Wight but the overall number of primary pupils is expected to fall from 9,300 in 2017 to 7,640 in three years’ time, according to council data.
If schools must close, then close them.
Alternatively move families from the mainland to the
Island and their children can fill the empty classes.
(You can’t have your cake and eat it)
Lol
Trying to justify his £2,500.00 MPs pay rise
whilst many persons are living in poverty.
Whatever happened to we are all in it together!
Lol
Shame he didn’t scare off his own government policy of cuts to education funding. But they had money for arms funding, wars, back-handers, PPE contracts. I know… he wasn’t an MP then. He is now though. Lets see how he votes.
Something feels disinctly, fundamentally wrong about MPs being Councillors simultaneously. It is even more disturbing that both Island MPs are keeping a foot in each. Surely being an MP is a fulltime job so either we are being short-changed in our Parliamentary representation or in our Council representation.