Croft school has the echoes of wi-fi sell
1:11pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Your Say
Croft school has the echoes of wi-fi sell
I write with reference to Mr Gallagher’s letter of January 21, ‘We need Croft’ in which the gentleman makes reference to school numbers, simplistic views of democracy and the provision of essential services.
With regards to the need for over 100 reception places in Lawn, Lethbridge and King William Street, I fear that the gentleman has been fooled by officers’ presentation and re-packaging of data in much the same way that many councillors have.
These same officers stated that the temporary East Wichel School was needed on the Croft for one year when SBC’s own data showed there was no need. Having sat empty and unused since July 2011, the temporary school is now being moved as it has served SBC’s purpose of setting a planning precedent. What a shameful deceit of the public and a misuse of education funds.
There is ample provision in Old Town if you include East Wichel, a brand new primary school within the recently revised Old Town ward boundary, which opened in 2011 and is less than 30 per cent utilised, but which does not suit either officers’ or councillors’ messianic drive that primary school education in Old Town hinges on a school being built on Croft.
Perhaps this messianic drive has more to do with the council’s desire to set up a business, Class Solutions, to sell modular /pop-up-schools to other local authorities than it has to serve the needs of education. That Class Solutions has not been discussed or approved by SBC Cabinet or Scrutiny Committees is of concern and brings echoes of wi-fi.
The Croft is ‘needed’ by the council to provide a pretty setting for an average product in a market already saturated by those who provide modular buildings. More echoes of Wi-Fi?
I admit to having a very simple view of democracy in that I believe that my elected representatives should engage with me to hear, discuss and represent my views. I did not vote to live in a dictatorship.
The gentleman is correct that essential services must be provided. However, it is essential that these are provided where they are essential. In this case, there is a need for a primary school in the Town Centre not in Old Town. Local residents know this, the council knows this and the council know that the public knows this.
Better a school in the right place and a safe place than this. No one wants to be in the position to say ‘ I told you so’ again and again but the council would not listen. Is any ‘product’ worth this?
Who needs the Croft? Class Solutions needs the Croft. The real question is who will end up paying the price?
James Boyd Hesketh Crescent Swindon
...Simple is best
I read with interest Mr Gallagher’s letter and as one of those who might be accused of a “simplistic view of democracy”, I claim right of reply.
Ok you got me bang to rights. I do have a “simplistic view of democracy”, that is because democracy is a simple thing. I happen to think councillors are “elected representatives”, (the clue is in the title ‘representative’). I do not want the alternative to “simplistic democracy” which could be called “sophisticated democracy” if it involves lies, threats and dissembling, chicanery, sharp practice and abuse, which we have seen of late.
Sophisticated democracy has resulted in the UK having a form of Government nobody voted for (was coalition an option on anyone’s ballot form?) In our town, elected representatives try to “sell” deals after the fact – which is what we see happening now. (Anyone else noticed a sudden influx of a lot of happy smiling councillors offering to listen, building schools all by themselves, to show they care, be photographed with/in their constituencies, apart from those jumping ship? Is there an election soon?) When questioned they bully and threaten as some of us have experienced.
In our town, local party leaders do not require their councillors to take any note of the electorate’s views once elected. They have been challenged to do so and have suddenly gone all coy.
They are as honest and should be trusted about as much as certain TV Evangelists.
Mr Gallagher, I prefer the simple life and one of the priveleges of that is the right to dissent, to question and free expression of opinion.
I have personally witnessed everything I write about. You, by your own admission, have not.
You have the right to express your view, and I welcome that, but I prefer to keep things simple, I find that leads to honesty as well.
Guy Green Old Town Swindon
...Money talks
Your piece on work beginning at the new Croft school site has finally explained the mystery surrounding the, so far, very silent majority in support of this project.
This silent majority is not, as I have been assuming, made up of residents, parents etc., silently lobbying away in favour of this school being built, but is actually made up of pound signs, lots and lots of pound signs.
So the reason why our council seems hell bent on going forward with this scheme, in the face of the strength of opposition it sees fit to ignore, is that they see the chance to make a few quid.
I always assumed that borough councils existed primarily, if not solely, to facilitate the views of the residents it represents and to maintain and improve the services and facilities of the borough it is responsible for.
I had also assumed, given the information they release, that they are sufficiently cash strapped as to have to cut services, make staff redundant and to replace others with non paid volunteers. How much of these savings and revenue are being set aside for speculative purposes, such as this latest venture, I dread to think. Enough to already lose on the Wi-Fi project, and enough to have had funds invested in Icelandic banks and at risk of loss, and still enough to set up in competition to private building firms and property speculators as well it would seem. That’s quite a few care assistants, and library books.
As the words of the song go, “money doesn’t talk, it swears”. The silent majority, indeed.
P J Cousins Greywethers Avenue Swindon
...No support
What a sad and lonely figure Councillor Renard looks in your photo of him cutting the first sod for the construction work on the proposed Croft School. (Adver, January 19).
I notice that nobody from the local community was invited to join him for the occasion. Of course if they had been, nobody would have turned up anyway.
When will SBC realise, that by pulling the wool over people’s eyes and forcing this proposal down peoples throats without proper consultation and process, they have created a situation where instead of the local community embracing and loving the idea of a school at the heart of their community, they thoroughly resent it.
David Bent Marlborough Lane Old Town Swindon
Asbestos help
Bristol and Beyond Asbestos Family Support Group is an organisation that provides emotional and practical support to the sufferers and families of asbestos related diseases. The group meets socially every couple of months in the Bristol area.
On March 5, the group is holding its spring awareness day at Bristol Zoo. This will include a talk from one of the leading mesothelioma nurses in the country.
Bristol and Beyond offers a great opportunity to talk to people who have been through a similar situation. The dangers of asbestos are now widely known; however, more than 2000 people die each year from mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer. We also aim to raise awareness of the dangers still present in buildings today and to raise funds for research.
If your readers would like to attend, or require further information, they should contact Rachel Wilson on 0117 394 5009.
Rachel Wilson Bristol and Beyond Asbestos Family Support 51 Victoria Street Bristol BS1 6AD
Alfie suprise
Unbeknown to me, my husband, Matthew Paterson, entered your competition to win Alfie Boe tickets (at the Oasis) and to his great surprise, he won.
We were on the waiting list for ticket returns and I was so disappointed not to be able to go so you can imagine how euphoric I was when I saw his name in the paper!
I would just like to say a huge thank you as the show was amazing.
Thank you again Julie Paterson Headlands Grove Swindon
Fare’s fair
The bus company has made so much profit out of Joe Public, they can afford to run the 21 and 23 buses.
No excuse now.
P Carter May Close Swindon
Thanks for plans
Thank you for reinstating the Planning Applications publication in the Adver.
Mrs B Stanley Balmoral Close Swindon
