Our Letter to DMBC

25.05.04

Dear Mark Eales,

 I am disappointed that you have not replied to my letter of 12.05.04 regarding my concerns about the consultation process for the establishment of a City Academy in Conisbrough.

I have posted it on the CADPAG website and the communities of Conisbrough and Denaby await your reply.

The information that you have made available does not answer all of my questions, I am still very keen to have complete answers to all of my questions. Allow me to remind you of the questions I asked.

?What form will the consultation take?

?Who are the stakeholders?

?Who will be consulted?

?How will the consultations be conducted?

?How will you ensure that everyone has access to the relevant consultations?

?Will all of the community be consulted in Denaby and Conisbrough?

?What are the dates of the public consultations?

?How will the views of the people of Conisbrough and Denaby be collected and by whom?

?How will you ensure transparency when you collect and assess the responses from the community?

?Who will be accountable for transparency?

?How long will the consultation period last?

?Who will make the further decision to confirm or reject the proposal?

?Will the views of the community have an impact on the final decision?

Again I ask, what will happen if the majority of people in Conisbrough and Denaby say no?

I would appreciate a reply to this letter.

Yours

 

On behalf of CADPAG

 

Reply from Mark Eales (Scanned)

 

PROPOSED NORTHCLIFFE ACADEMY

 Thank you for your letter dated 12 May 2004 setting out a number of queries relating to the proposal to establish an Academy to serve the communities of Conisbrough and Denaby. Please find set out below the responses to each of your questions:

 I         What form will the consultation take?

 We propose to set up a number of meetings with governors, staff, secondary pupils and parents of secondary pupils in June, possibly running into July. Meetings will be offered to parents in each of the primary schools and in the secondary school and these will be open for all parents to attend.

At the same time we will be writing to other stakeholders to invite their comments

 2        Who are the stakeholders?

 I would suggest that stakeholders in the initial round of formal consultation include all parents of children in the Northcliffe pyramid. governors, staff and pupils at Northcliffe school. Governors at Edlington and Mexborough secondary schools. Diocesan Officers, the local Learning and Skills Council, Doncaster College, Dearne valley College. all secondary headteachers in Doncaster and relevant neighbouring LEAs. local Councillors and Members of Parliament, Trade Unions and Professional Associations. In addition providers of services to the school for example, for the provision of meals. cleaning etc.

 Should the proposal receive Cabinet approval to proceed following this initial round of formal consultation, there will be publication of formal proposals in the form of a Statutory Notice. This provides a final opportunity for anyone to make further written comments or objections to the proposal. Any written comments/objections must be made during the “representation period” which lasts for six weeks from the publication of the Statutory Notices.

  If you feel that I have omitted someone do let me know.

  3 Who will be consulted?

  All of those mentioned in 2) above will be consulted.

  4 How will the consultations be conducted?

  Face to face consultation meetings will be held with parents, staff and governors. In addition, we will be sending a questionnaire to parents so that if they are unable to attend a consultation meeting, they will have an opportunity to express their views. As indicated above there will also be the written consultation that will invite comments.

  5 How will you ensure that everyone has access to the relevant consultations?

  When we send out dates for the consultation meetings to all stakeholders we will be including information about the proposed Academy together with the questionnaire for parents. If someone is not able to attend the meetings my officers would be happy to answer any questions either in person, by telephone or by e mail.  There Will also be a Public Notice in the press.

  6 Will all of the community be consulted in Denaby and Conisbrough

  It is proposed that the consultation meetings outlined in 1. above will be held in both Conisbrough and Denaby.

 7 What are the dates of public consultations?

These are still to be agreed. I will notify all stakeholders in writing of these dates as soon as they have been finalised.

8 How will the views of the people of Denaby and Conisbrough be collected and by whom?

At the consultation meetings we will keep a record of the comments made. We are also happy to receive written or emailed comments. In addition we will be encouraging parents to return their questionnaires.

  9 How will you ensure transparency when you collect and assess the responses from the community?

  Following the initial formal consultation we will produce a report for Cabinet based on the responses we receive. At the end of any report to Cabinet we are required to state the background papers used in compiling the report which will include these responses and will, therefore, be open to scrutiny by any member of the public.

  10 Who will be accountable for ensuring transparency?

  The Head of Legal Services, as Monitoring Officer, would be responsible for ensuring that these procedures are followed.

  11 How long will the consultation period last?

  The consultations will be extensive to ensure that the views of stakeholders are properly reflected. The initial round of formal consultations will extend throughout June and probably into July.

  As outlines above,  should Cabinet give approval to progress the proposal, the publication of statutory notices commences the six-week representation period for the receipt of further written comments or objections.

  12 Who will make the further decision on whether to confirm or reject the proposal?

  The School Organisation Committee would give final approval to the proposal.

13   Will the views of the community have an impact on the final decision?

The report to Cabinet  refered to under point 9 will show whether the majority of responses from parents support or reject the proposal. We will also report on views from other stakeholders at the same time.

In addition, the School Organisation Committee will receive details of any written comments or objections received following the publication of Statutory Notices.

The Cabinet and School Organisation Committee will take into account all of these responses in making their respective decisions.

I  hope that these responses address in full your queries but please do not hesitate to contact Sue Howarth at the telephone number above or me if you have any further concerns about the process.

Yours sincerely

 

  Mark Eales

Executive Director of Education and Culture

 

Letters to Local Councillors

 

Conisbrough And Denaby Parents Action Group

Founded  2004

Secretary: Lyn Tong

07946 816372

 Date: 07 June 2004

 Dear Candidate,

 Local Elections 2004

 

I write with reference to the coming election and seek your view on the proposed closing of Northcliffe Comprehensive School and the opening of a Vardy Academy.

 

Please could you answer the following questions.

 

1) As a Councillor do you think it is your duty to represent the view of the local community even if this goes against your parties view?

 

Yes  No

 

2) On the information you have regarding the Proposed Vardy Academy do you broadly support the proposal?

 

      Yes  No     (if you are unsure please state your argument overleaf)

 

 

…………………………………………………………..

Please sign and return this form by 7th June 2004.

 

Send to:

Post: Ms Tracy Morton 9 The Crescent, Conisbrough DN12 3LG,

e mail: cadpag2004@yahoo.co.uk

Your answers will form part of the information we intend to circulate during the election. Failure to return will result in “Could not be bothered to comment”

 

Thank you in anticipation of your reply.

 

Yours faithfully

 

CADPAG

 

Replies from some scanned documents to follow

Alex Watling for all Lib Democrats Candidates Page 1 Page 2 

wants to represent the community and is against the foundation

Kay Wilkinson (independent)

(wants to represent the community and is against the foundation)

John Mills Labour Party Page 1 Page 2 (awaiting scanning

Chris Mills Labour Party (Wants best for kids has not said if she is against the academy) Page 1

Adian Rave Page 1

Our Response to John Mills

Your letter dated 5th June 2004.
 
I can confirm that the letter was sent to all candidates in the local election.
 
The letter is not a trick. it was merely asking for your views on the Northcliffe Academy issue. 
 
As you will be aware as Kay is our chairperson and is standing in the election we try to put printed and published by ......... on all our material at the instruction of the local election office. While we are not a political group we do not want to get Kay into any trouble.
 
It was a simple question that you have failed to answer, people have a right read in to that what they will.
 
Regarding your fourth point Gerry McLister spoke at one of our meetings. So you must be wrong. His views were not that welcome at the meeting. For the record anyone is welcome to attend any of our meetings.
 
I am somewhat surprised regarding the general tone of your letter I have put copies of all the responses on the website for everyone to see. Let the people decide. 
 
Best wishes for the election
 
CADPAG

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Letter to prime minister page 1 page 2

the reply page 1