Today is Monday October 1st. According to my papers, the consultation period for the closure of St George’s RC High School and the changes to the other three Roman Catholic Secondary Schools in Salford starts today.
However, I’ve not had any communication from the Children’s Services directorate telling me how to contribute my views to the consultation. There’s nothing on the website either. Essentially, if you haven’t read the small print on the cabinet paper sending the decision out for consultation, you won’t even know there’s a consultation going on at all.
This is an utter disgrace. These are huge decisions - the proposed closure of one school and the relocation of another - and due process should be followed. What is the point of having a two-month consultation period if local residents aren’t informed at the start of the consultation?
I rang up Children’s Services today and was told that “the letters will be going out shortly” and “there won’t be any public meetings until November anyway”. What a shambles.
As soon as I find out how local residents can contribute to the consultation process I will let you know. It is more important than ever that the local community stands up and speaks out about the absolutely absurd decision to close St George’s High School. In the meantime I am shaking my head with disbelief at the sheer incompetence our Labour Council has shown in trying to run this process.
Unfortunately my image manipulation skills aren’t quite up to the standards of James Purnell MP.
Earlier today I had the privilege to join with over 2000 other ordinary Salfordians on the Save St. George’s Protest March organised by justice4george’s. The depth and breadth of passion on this matter is beyond doubt. The people - I might better say the masses (2000 is a simply enormous turnout for a local issue march) - spoke loud and clear today. The time has come for Salford Labour to listen to the overwhelming voice of the people.
Will the Labour Cabinet now listen to the people?
I call upon John Merry, John Warmisham, Jill Baker et al now to listen to the people.
St. George’s is a superb school, it is over-subscribed and it is integral to the heart of the local community.
DO NOT CLOSE THIS SCHOOL!!!
The people of Salford will not allow you to close this school!
Have you got the message Salford Labour…?
[richardcarvath.moonfruit.com]