Governors of a Hove school, with plans to turn it into an academy, have defended their consultation after criticisms made by a councillor.
The criticisms followed a meeting last week between councillors and governors from West Blatchington Primary School, with the consultation due to end tomorrow (Tuesday 28 February).
The school is expected to become part of the Pioneer Academy Multi-Academy Trust which runs 15 schools including Moulsecoomb Primary School, in Brighton.
After the meeting last week, the deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Hannah Allbrooke, wrote to the governors urging them to think again.
The letter that was sent by Councillor Allbrooke, who chairs the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee, has been seen by Brighton and Hove News.
It said: “We are disappointed that you are pursuing this course of action and we urge you to reconsider.
“In our meeting, we discussed our concerns regarding your consultation, and we asked you to consider extending the consultation.
“We believe that the consultation has been rushed and are concerned that part of the consultation fell over half term, meaning parents and the community were further restricted in their ability to take part.
“We also remain concerned that you have held no public meeting to discuss the plans … We once again urge you to extend the consultation and hold a public meeting regarding your plans.
“We also feel that little consideration has been given to other options.
“In our meeting, you sought to blame the local authority for this, citing that the local authority’s opposition to academisation was the reason you had not had a full and constructive discussion with us ahead of pursuing academisation.
“We do not feel this is a good reason not to engage with us, the local authority.
“Officers have made multiple attempts to discuss federation and other options with you. We understand that the governors have not engaged with these offers from our expert officer team.
“In our meeting you highlighted the minimal exploration you had made regarding federation.
“We believe the steps you have taken to consider this are lacking in depth and are not a sign that the due diligence you are required to undertake has been completed.
A Green councilor moaning about lack of consultation? This is the same Green Party that has yet to show residents the revised’ LTN plan for Hanover and have no intention of doing so until a week before the meeting of ETS! Thus blunting any opposition. The main criticism I have of this administration is that they DO NOT listen. They have no right to criticise that governing body.
I agree! I don’t trust a word these councillors say! They are just after personal gain and power.
Let the school do want it wants to do! They know best!
A tu quoque makes for an extremely weak argument, Nathan.