We, Nov 23, 2005Embarrassing Council papers revealed
The Freedom of Information Act doesn't only give you access to important information on the way public decisions are taken but also on how public business is conducted.So, here's a couple of extracts from meetings at Lewisham Council.
The first consideration that we can make is that whilst the Mayor tells us that Ladywell is the best site for a school, the planning officers can't really come out with anything positive to say about it.
Another thing that emerges is that the Mayor's office spins it like Alastair Campbell in his best days (except Alistair Campbell is now fighting to save his local pool these days).
But most importantly we now know that Lewisham Council is fully aware that the Ladywell site is unsuitable for a new school.
Here's this extract from a BSF (Building Schools for the Future) planning meeting held on 11th July 2005:
New School (identified site at Ladywell)
- LBL officer advised that a strong campaign had been established to oppose the siting at Ladywell, mainly based on the premise that the perceived (evinced? - Ed) need is actually in the north of the borough. The campaign had identified a site off Oxstalls Road near Convoys Wharf.
- 'Planning' (at LBL - Ed) is struggling with what they can say positively in their appraisal paper of the Ladywell site.
- MACE consultants have confirmed that LBL Education had investigated 20 sites and had settled on Ladywell as the preferred option but that suitability issues had since been raised, particularly around the size and the traffic-generating implications of the site.
- Issues to be further addressed with another LBL officer not present at this meeting.
This other extract instead comes from the BSF project group meeting 6th June 2005:
...read more...Northbrook School
Senior Management Team and Governors are now aware of the decision on the 8 June 2005 (The decision not to house the new school temporarily on the Leahurst Road site - Ed) following the Mayor’s office leaking to the press on 1 June 2005 makes engagement easier.
Decant issues are cheaper and simpler. Consultation and planning continuing at full pace.