Michael Gove - Prevented from supporting Surrey Heath?

Question time with Michael Gove last night was a very well run and entertaining event, thanks to Connect Christian Counselling for putting it together.

There were a lot of people wanting to ask questions and it is a shame that in the end there were only time for four items to be posed to the panel.  I was a little embarrassed that my question was one picked as I'm sure that others may have phrased it better.  Michaels answer probably would not have been any different however, regardless of the question asked.  He explained in a political and balanced way that his role as "Education Secretary" prevented him from being involved, maintained that it would be a free and fair process and gave a balanced view of some of the pros and cons of the merger.

I will cover if this will indeed be free and fair in another post.

I understand what Michael said but I do have some reservations about how we are being supported.  My expectation of Mr Gove is that he ensures that the process is performed legally and fairly, if he were not conflicted I would expect he support his constituents views.  Effectively because of Mr Goves cabinet post we are being denied the representation in the House of  Commons that we have a right to expect.  Perhaps more unfortunate for Mr Gove is that if the merger goes ahead it is likely that the damage done to our childrens education and the teething problems of the chaotic upheavel in their school provision will still be evident as we come to vote in the next election.

I doubt that 4000 parents expressing their disgust at the lack of support Mr Gove was able to give will affect his "safe seat".  Equally though I doubt that the fact that Mr Gove is behaving professionally will deflect either the anger they feel or their worries about "lack of representation".

Travel Plans - for schools

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/f2d920e015d1183d80256c670041a50b/c79a908286121e428025778400316b68/$FILE/Travel%20Plans%20Good%20Practice%20Guide%2010-web%20optimised.pdf

See appendix E

Merger Traffic would go through Air Quality Management Area

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/591f7dda55aad72a80256c670041a50d/d5de6abee2725c1380257815004d6fd6/$FILE/STP%20Environmental%20Report%20-%2001%20-%20Main%20Report%20(Part%201%20of%202)%20(Jan%202011).pdf

Travel Planning in Surrey Heath

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Travel+planning+in+Surrey+Heath?opendocument

Note who has travel planning obligations and who does not also note the status of plans.

Surely TK merger would eclipse the effect of many of the businesses listed here who have obligations.

Merger will destroy Tomlinscote Travel "Role Model"

Split site solution would contravene SurreyCC travel policy - Tomlinscote named as a good example of how to do it - this would not be the case if the merger goes ahead.

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/591f7dda55aad72a80256c670041a50d/c36a7ab335af1f0980256bc000405ba4/$FILE/School2.pdf

A Central Committee

On Tuesday 5th April a number of concerned parents from both schools and community members met to discuss the Tomlinscote / Kings merger proposal.

Those present agreed that our preferred option would be to have educational choice in Surrey Heath and that this is best served by having Tomlinscote, Collingwood and Kings separately offering distinctive and excellent education.

The group also agreed that the proposed takeover of Kings by Tomlinscote presents a very high risk to the quality of education of students at both schools.

The group will examine SurreyCCs assertion that Kings continuing as a separate school is not viable and seek to highlight the grave risks posed to students’ education by the proposed takeover and split site working.

The group will investigate credible alternatives to the proposal which will deliver both choice and educational excellence.

The discussion centred on organisation and how working groups could be established to address key areas.

If you agree with us and would like to help to fight this proposal please indicate your support by sending an email to tomlinscote.kings.nomerger@gmail.com - no replies will be given from this address it will only be used to determine support levels. Names and expressions of support are will obviously help legitimise the list, but are not essential, names will not be published but we may contact you with important information.  We need your support in order to represent your views.

If you want to help, particularly if you have a particular expertise relevant to the campaign, please do get in touch with tomlinscote.kings@gmail.com.

We would like to arrange an open meeting and are trying to find a suitable time and location. Given the number of parents finding a location is not proving easy. We will post an update on this as soon as possible.

Please make a donation, no matter how small, to help keep the campaign running


Ian Sorby

Bob Lacey

Barbara Lapthorn

Belinda Tam

Louise Nicholas

Johanna Hinks

Claire Funnell

Sue Pearson

Bob Garrett

Mark Reynolds

Tina Carney

Ken Harding

Eilidh Brodie

Steve Lapthorn

Arfan Ahmed

Julie Mason

Robert Raymont

Paul Deach

Rajesh Mistry

PJ Wilkinson refuses to speak to parents on BBC Surrey

Barbara Lapthorn and Ian Sorby were interviewed by Nick Wallis on BBC Surrey this morning.  PJ Wilkinson refused to be interviewed alongside them but provided a response slightly later.

You can listen here :



Enjoy..

Bullying to blame for Conservative council hell

I'm sure anyone who has been following this will find this article from Aug 2009 sounds all too familiar in 2011 - has much changed?

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23732345-bullying-and-obsession-with-red-tape-to-blame-for-conservative-council-hell.do