SHBC councillors say NO, No, no, NO and errrr NO!

The thing that really hit home about the teachers letter to the Governors was not just the bravery of speaking out but also the unanimity of the feeling. It is rare to get such a high level of agreement amongst a group of human beings but perhaps rarer to find in the centre of our adversarial political system. At last nights Surrey Heath Borough Council meeting the show of unity was truly amazing! It was very hard to tell who was in which party, as each councillor spoke the baton was handed to the next to continue the arguments against the merger. An entire chamber of councillors of all political colours and persuasions in complete agreement!

They had grave concerns about the way SCC had undertaken the consultation. One Councillor first heard of the Kings closure over his garden fence. The SCC Consultation may talk about consulting SHBC but this has still not happened.

- The SCC consultation process has been completely flawed.
- Cllr Gibson attacked the merger for being rushed and said the county council's figures appear to be confused and premature.
- Councillor May felt a lack of trust in SCCs figures in the proposal.
- Numbers presented by SCC were not justified when challenged by CAM - why not?
- Councillor Bates said Schools of about 600 ARE sustainable and very successful contradicting SCC assertions.
- Marketing was withdrawn at Kings - no wonder the numbers are low.
- Apparently the Community has not performed a proper equality impact analysis.
- NOBODY on recent election campaign voiced an opinion for merger or closure of Kings.
- Surrey Heath would have largest schools in Surrey if this experiment goes ahead.
- SCC says merger is an experiment and schools will need to be split in a few years.
- Carbon footprint will rise due to forced through SCC plan - and is against SHBC policy.
... and on and on echoing the themes that people have highlighted all campaign.

An element of sheer disbelief and frustration with SCC crept in when Tory cllr Bev Harding described the merger as "absolutely barmy".

Opposition group leader and Labour Cllr Rodney Bates criticised the lack of consultation with young people in Surrey Heath over the merger, "it is terrible that students have been disenfranchised when at a recent SHBC Student Forum students were VERY proud of their schools."

There was praise for CAM who were described as calm organised and professional.

The SHBC executive DO want to respond to the SCC consultation - they are DELIGHTED with the community response and will be issuing their views to SCC.

Thanks SHBC for representing our viewpoints so accurately and for taking the time to understand the issues.

So..... not that I'm keeping score..

Surrey Heath Borough Councillors
- those whose continued election relies on understanding the prevailing mood of the electorate they represent
say NO.

The Teachers
- those entrusted with the educational outcomes of a large number of local children
say NO.

The Parents
- those worried about the educational outcomes and safety of the children
say NO.

Surrey County Council
- those worried about seemingly nothing, deaf to input, blind to the risks and obstructive to anyone wishing to shed any light on the matter.
?Y?E?S?

.. and then the small matter of the Governors of Tomlinscote
???????