Archived decisions

Consultation on the proposed new voluntary aided primary school for the Whiteley area

Notes of meeting

Date: 9 February 2006

Time: 7.45 pm

Venue: The Meadowside Centre, Whiteley

The meeting was attended by approximately 110 local residents together with:

The meeting was also attended by Ms Sheila Campbell, Leader of Winchester City Council and Councillor Patrick Wright, Chairman of Whiteley Parish Council.

Bob Eardley opened the meeting by referring to the previous consultation which had taken place during February - April 2005 on the principle of building a second school in Whiteley. This second consultation was specifically linked to the proposed status of the school and site issues. The Department for Education and Skills expected the Diocese of Portsmouth and fellow promoters to publish notices by the end of May, by which time reasonable certainty about the site would be needed. There was, therefore, a degree of urgency and it was important for everyone to respond to the consultations, either via the response slip within the consultation document or the dedicated website.

The detailed consultation paper prepared by the County Council had been widely circulated before the meeting. The following brief presentations were made before questions were invited from the floor:

a) Peter Bennett said that five possible sites had been looked at within Whiteley but only the land owned by the Universities Superannuation Service (USS) Ltd or part of the recreation land adjoining the Meadowside Centre, owned by Winchester City Council, seemed suitable. He said that USS had made it clear that their land was not for sale. The recreation centre land was the County Council's preferred option: it would be possible to develop this and yet retain and enhance existing outdoor sporting facilities.

b) Bob Wallbridge indicated how the recreation centre site might be developed, with the possibility of including a church within the school building. The buildings and pitch would be available for community use. He acknowledged that it would be necessary to move the existing children's play area, proposed skate-board park and the tennis courts.

c) Canon David Isaac referred to the ecumenical nature of the Whiteley area and stressed that the governing bodies of any aided school would have broad representation from the community, including parents. The admissions policy would mirror that of Whiteley Primary School, using the same catchment area boundaries.

d) At 8.15 pm, questions were invited from the floor. The following comments were made and questions asked:

1 A parent said that, although a school was needed, it was not right to give up recreation space. The existing district centre was a commercial rather than a village centre. Peter Bennett stressed that USS had made it clear that they were not prepared to sell their land.

2 The same questioner asked what the alternative was if no school was built in Whiteley. Councillor Kirk made it clear that there were no other viable options identified at this stage which could be implemented within the required timescale.

3 A questioner asked about future pupil numbers, saying that she had been told that a two forms of entry (2fe) rather than a 1fe school would be needed. Bob Eardley referred to previous consultations, emphasising that there was no requirement for a larger school at the present time, or in the future, unless north Whiteley were to be developed. It was emphasised that there was no intention to extend the school and that, if north Whiteley were developed, a new school would be provided.

4 A questioner asked whether, if the recreation centre land option went ahead, the Council had taken any account of the potential loss of revenue at the centre. It was suggested that, because of enhanced facilities, including a new junior school pitch, which would be better drained, the recreation centre revenue would be enhanced.

5 A parent who said that he travelled to Fareham to take his eldest child to school emphasised that it was important to have a school within Whiteley.

6 A resident commented on the lack of facilities within Whiteley emphasising the traffic problems sometimes caused by even a minor incident. He wanted to know who was responsible for this poor planning. Steve Tilbury, representing Winchester City Council, said that his Council was advised by the County Council on education and strategic transport issues.

7 Bob Eardley reminded those present that the County Council had agreed to build a new school in Whiteley even though it was technically not needed and places were available in schools south of the M27.

8 In response to another questioner, Bob Eardley said that it was now much easier for local authorities to establish the infrastructure for new developments than it had been previously and particularly when Whiteley was originally planned, some twenty years ago. In response to the same questioner, Peter Bennett emphasised that compulsory purchase of the USS site, as suggested by the questioner, would be a very complex and lengthy process, almost certainly involving a public inquiry and with no certainty of outcome or timescale. In response to a later question, he said that USS were not interested in any land swap deal.

9 Both Councillor Kirk and Bob Eardley emphasised that the only viable option currently available was to build on recreation centre land, owned by Winchester City Council.

10 Councillor Sheila Campbell (Winchester City Council) said that work on the proposed skate-park had been postponed but that it had now been decided to re-start the project. If the skateboard park needed to be moved at some future stage, this would be at a comparatively small cost.

11 Steve Tilbury emphasised that Winchester City Council were keen to hear the views of local people before deciding whether to sell the recreation centre land to the County Council.

12 A resident suggested that, if the proposal went ahead, this would be to the benefit of local teenagers but it was particularly important that, during any building work, pitches were still available for use.

13 Councillor Wright (Chairman of Whiteley Parish Council) said that his council had not been involved in consultations and had not been allowed to make a presentation at this meeting. The County Council was "disreputable".

14 Councillor Kirk, in response, said that the Parish Council had been able to make a presentation to him in person. Councillor Wright said that his council had been misled and lied to. Councillor Kirk said that information circulated by the Parish Council had been incorrect.

15 In response to a question on admissions, Alex Munro said that, when the new school was established, it would be possible for parents to transfer their children from other schools. However, it would not be possible, if places remained available, to reserve them solely for Whiteley children.

16 A resident suggested that Whiteley people might be prepared to wait for three years to ensure that the much needed school was located in the correct place.

17 Bob Eardley emphasised that a new secondary school for Whiteley was not proposed although, if north Whiteley were to be developed, this would be reviewed.

18 It was suggested that the County Council should have offered USS more money to sell their site. Peter Bennett emphasised that the USS position was firm and that they would not negotiate.

19 In response to a questioner, Bob Eardley emphasised that Whiteley Primary School was already one of the largest in the county and that, even if it were technically possible to extend the school, the existing infrastructure would be put under even greater pressure.

20 A question was asked about the religious nature of the proposed new school, implying that religious education would be very restricted. Canon David Isaac emphasised the inclusive nature of the religious education curriculum, stressing that the prime aim of the new school would be to serve the whole Whiteley community.

21 A parent with a child at Sarisbury Infant School said that it was important to look forwards rather than backwards and that the proposal was a good compromise.

22 Councillor Campbell said the choice was difficult. The proposal to use recreation centre land could mean that pitches were separate from the building they served. She emphasised that, if the proposal did proceed, it would not be possible to expand the existing recreation centre and would restrict future flexibility. It was crucially important, therefore, for people to complete the questionnaire.

23 A parent with two children attending schools outside Whiteley and a pre-school child said that a new school would be preferable to losing the DfES money but he was concerned about the possible detriment to Whiteley of the proposal.

24 A resident suggested that the school should be located at the far end of the proposed site so that the pitches could be retained in their current position. Bob Wallbridge commented that the current proposal favoured building nearer the recreation centre since the land sloped upwards at the far end. He was supported by a parent who emphasised the importance of ensuring that pitches remained available so as not to jeopardise the continuation of local clubs.

25 In response to an earlier questioner, Bob Wallbridge had emphasised that discussions would take place with USS about possible pick-up and drop-off points at the new school and that overall safety would be given a high priority.

26 At 9.50 pm, County Councillors were invited to sum up their own views.

27 Councillor Allgood, representing the Winchester part of Whiteley, said that it was clear that a new school was wanted but there were reservations. He was disappointed that reservations continued but pledged to represent local people in trying to ensure that a school was built as soon as possible.

28 Councillor Woodward, representing the Fareham part of Whiteley, emphasised that he lived in Whiteley and that a school was clearly needed. If residents were in favour of the proposal, it was important that they made this clear as part of the consultation. He reminded those present that it would be the independent School Organisation Committee (SOC) which would grant final approval to any proposal and emphasised the key role of Winchester City Council both in land and planning issues. There was a window of opportunity available but a real danger of losing the money which had been allocated to this project.

29 Councillor Kirk emphasised the need for everyone to make their views known. On the basis of the consultations, his impressions of this meeting and views expressed by members of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee, he would take recommendations to his Cabinet colleagues.

30 The meeting ended at 9.58 pm.