Yesterday the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee, of which I am a member, considered an initial feedback report concerning the consultation process carried out before Christmas of the proposed changes to Roman Catholic secondary schools across the City, including the closure of St George’s RC High School in Walkden.
My view on the St George’s proposals has been clear since day one. It is an excellent school with a long waiting list, and it plays a key role at the heart of the local community. I have yet to see any reasonable justification from the Council for the decision to close it. St George’s should remain open.
The Council’s response to the feedback received through the consultation process were a whitewash. Not a single dot or comma is likely to be changed as a result of the comments submitted. Labour have treated the consultation as a mere formality – something that they have no choice but to do – and are now carrying on regardless, just as they always intended.
I’m pleased to say that the Scrutiny Committee did not agree with that view. I proposed that the Committee formally declared that they were unhappy with the Council’s response to the proposals, and the proposal was passed by the Committee.
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