Page 12 - link magazine

12 The Link Magazine • September 2006 Place - it classifiieds
Get your views in early if you are being `consulted'

In November 2004 Swindon Council launched a 'public consultation' on and governors at two primary schools, Salt Way closed its doors for the final
improving education in West Swindon.' The council said it was pursuing the time and the School's Organisation Committee agreed that Windmill Hill
Government's 'every child matters' agenda to create extended schools. At should combine with Freshbrook in September 2007.
the same time the council declared it had to shed over 600 primary school Salt Way chair of governors Stephen Spence looks back at the bruising
places which it said was surplus to requirements because of falling birth experience and suggests there are lessons for communities across Swin-
rates in a mature community. In July after 18 months of argument by parents don.
If Swindon Council ever conducts centres, maybe libraries in other schools became a target by
another study about 'improving areas of the town. What we do not having enough written
something' then after what hap- know for certain is how people responses to the survey and
pened in West Swindon, people react to the original announcement not having enough parents
across the town need to know is crucial to the outcome. turn up to their consultation
what this could mean to them. This early stage of the consulta- meeting. This made them an
It doesn't have to be education. tion process is the only realistic obvious candidate for the in-
The council has ideas about opportunity the public has to stop nocent sounding 'pre-statu-
changes to recreation and leisure proposals from becoming reality. tory' consultation. Once the
centres, it could mean community A study paper by the council council starts any kind of
will offer a series of scenarios for 'pre-statutory' consultation,
change. In reality - despite claims it's likely the officers have
to the contrary - council officers made their minds up about
will already have preferred options what they can and cannot
they would like to pursue. do.
Everyone who has any stake in Front the Afa1/ 2005 Link, S0' 'r Sp' ne The purpose of a pre-statu-
^^RS and Salt Way parents tory consultation is to bring
S anything under threat MUST re-
Do you need a spond early. sib le - demand details, object out all the public's objections to a
proposal so they can address them
professional babysitter? • Fill out the reply slip to any sur- loudly to waffle;
vey forms — get other people to do • Go to the council's cabinet 'open in the statutory consultation - in
Local nannies. childminders and
this too; forum' - ask your unprepared other words they use your objec-
teachers available for evening • Make a fuss in the media - it will councillors awkward questions; tions to improve their case against
babysitting in your own home.
wake up the rest of the community • submit a written question and go you.
Call Emma Fursman to what's going on; along and put it to all 59 council- So, for example, if the council
for a free information pack • Work with other interested peo- lors in the 15 minute question time comes up with a 'consultation' to
or to book an ELF sitter ple or groups — but remember at the beginning of a full council shut the Link Centre - and you're
Tel: 01666 861 152 group responses may count as only meeting. not happy with the idea - then
[email protected]
one objection; When it came to closing primary object early, object loudly and do
www.elfsitters.co.uk schools in West Swindon some so at every opportunity.
AOELFs,iteis are local authority checked • Attend as many meetings as pos-

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