Agenda item

(a)          Petitions Received for Debate

The Chairman reported that two petitions had been submitted for debate at the meeting.  Both petitions related to the ongoing consultation on special schools and Cllr Laura Mayes gave a brief summary of the proposal which was to close the existing facilities at St Nicholas School, Chippenham and Larkrise School, Trowbridge and to open a much improved and expanded special school in Rowde, near Devizes.  The consultation process was due to close on 1 March 2019 and Cllr Mayes encouraged interested individuals to complete the consultation form on line, all responses being taken into account before a final decision was made by Cabinet.

 

St Nicholas School, Chippenham   Melissa Loveday, Organiser of the petition, which had acquired 7,500 signatures, explained that the objections to the proposal were on account of:-

·           Segregation of special needs children from their local community.

·           The distance of the proposed new facility at Rowde from the Royal United Hospital, Bath, in cases of emergency.

·           Increased travelling for the children from their homes to Rowde

 

Corinna Davidson, on behalf of the Governors at St Nicholas School, also spoke against the proposal, stating that the children involved were vulnerable and would experience difficulty in settling into a school outside their local community. Such a move would impede their educational and socialising progress.

 

Group Leaders the commented on the proposal as follows:-

 

Cllr John Thomson stated that the proposal would be considered by Cabinet on 26 March 2019 and members of the public and interested parties would be welcomed at that meeting. Views and representations submitted would be included in the report to Cabinet.

 

Cllr Ian Thorn congratulated the petitioners and speakers on the level of interest generated. He requested that points raised during the course of this debate be collated and included in the report to Cabinet so that a meaningful debate could be held before Cabinet arrived at a decision.  

 

Cllr Christopher Devine acknowledged the degree of opposition to the proposal and hoped that there would be a meaningful engagement with the petitioners.

 

Cllr Ricky Rogers expressed the hope that centres of excellence would be provided.

 

The Chairman moved the following Motion, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman,

 

“To receive the petition, and that any points raised during the debate be collated and recorded and that a meaningful response is provided as part of the formal consultation.”     

 

The Chairman then invited comments on debate.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard urged that all issues raised should be thoroughly considered and firmly supported those views expressed about travelling considerable distances to just one site.  He felt that what was really required in order to meet the needs of communities was a suitable facility in each community area, ideally attached to an existing school so that children with special needs could be educated mainstream with other children living in the same community.

 

Other Members expressed similar views to those already made stating that they recognised the strength of feeling by the communities in Chippenham and Trowbridge and hoped that the Cabinet would work with the petitioners and the school communities to resolve the position.

 

On being put to the vote,

 

Resolved:

 

To receive the petition, and that any points raised during the debate be collated and recorded and that a meaningful response is provided as part of the formal consultation.     

 

Larkrise School, Trowbridge  Jan Winfield, on behalf of the Petition Organiser, spoke against the proposal and suggested that the Ashton Street Centre should be expanded to provide the facility currently provided at Larkrise School.  She considered that Special Needs facilities should be provided within the local Trowbridge community, noting that parents very often walked their children to school.  She stated that transport links to Rowde were very poor and not at all practical.  If it was finally decided that there should be only one facility then perhaps consideration should be given to finding a more central location with good transport facilities, such as Melksham.   

 

Tony Free, representing the local Labour Party, explained the problems many parents would encounter in transporting their children to Rowde; some families would have to move home.

 

Group Leaders the commented on the proposal as follows:-

 

Cllr John Thomson had no further comments to make.

 

Cllr Ian Thorn stated that there were a number of questions raised which had not yet been answered.  

 

Cllr Christopher Devine reiterated his views as stated above.

 

Cllr Ricky Rogers hoped that outstanding questions would be answered shortly.

 

The Chairman moved the following Motion, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman:-

 

“To receive the petition, and that any points raised during the debate be collated and recorded and that a meaningful response is provided as part of the formal consultation.”     

 

The Chairman then invited comments on debate.

 

Members recognised that this was an emotive issue and that there was a need for Cabinet to listen to views expressed and engage with the public before making a decision.

 

On being put to the vote,

 

Resolved:

 

To receive the petition, and that any points raised during the debate be collated and recorded and that a meaningful response is provided as part of the formal consultation.     

 

(b)          Petitions received for Presentation

The Chairman reported that two petitions had also been received for presentation to this meeting in relation to Salisbury Library, as follows:-

 

·                     Petition Wiltshire Council to abandon the plan to move Salisbury Library from its current location – organised by the Labour Party with approximately 1,500 signatures.

 

·                     Petition against moving Salisbury Library – organised by the Liberal Democrat Party with approximately 2,500 signatures

 

It was noted that the threshold for a debate on petitions was approximately 4,700 signatures. However, no request had been submitted to debate either petition at this meeting and the signatures had not been verified.  A related Motion would be debated later in the meeting under a separate agenda item.

 

Cllr Tom Corbin of Salisbury District Council presented the petition on behalf of the Labour Party and Charlie James presented the petition which had been organised by the Liberal Democrat Group.

 

Cllr Pauline Church, on behalf of the Cabinet, thanked the petitioners for the two petitions and explained that the initial move of the Library was an interim arrangement.  If this did not happen then £6.1 Million would be lost for regeneration in Salisbury, this including the provision of a new purpose-built library. 

 

Resolved:

 

To note the position.

 

(c)       Petitions Update

The Chairman reported that since the last meeting five petitions had been received by the Council.  Actions taken in response to those petitions was included in the report.

 

On the proposal of the Chairman, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman

 

Resolved:

 

That Council note the report, the petitions received and the actions being taken in relation to them, as set out in the Appendix to the report.