Govilon Community Blog » Newsletter July 2009

Govilon School – The Facts

Christine Walby — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:30:58 +0000

MCC decided to review vacant places in Primary Schools in the Bryn y Cwm area but only look at schools outside Abergavenny – this is illogical, particularly as one Abergavenny school has 100 vacancies
They rushed to do the review before they looked at re-assessing the capacity of schools and before the Local Development Plans for Monmouthshire and Brecon Beacons are finalised next year!
They held 4 meetings attended by County Councillors who looked at reports which contained many factual errors; they also visited the schools under consideration – the smallest and the one in the worst condition and ‘not fit for purpose’ was Llanfair Kilgeddin.
The Cabinet considered a report recommending that Llanover, Llanfair Kilgeddin and Govilon be considered for closure; Cabinet made illogical decision to ‘reprieve’ Llanfair Kilgeddin! Because, they said, it is the only Voluntary Aided Church School in the north of the County. They were told there are there are other (large and more modern) Church Schools in the area but they disagreed and went ahead
Govilon School Action Group (GSAG) was formed following a packed village meeting.
Cabinet started informal consultations; they sent letters to parents and a held badly advertised ‘public meeting’ in Govilon; thanks to local volunteers letting people know it was well attended. LEA Officers and Cabinet Member for Education unable to give satisfactory answers to many questions. Over 60 letters of protest then sent in by Govilon people
24th June I spoke at Cabinet and argued that the Review was so flawed and so badly handled that parents and staff, had no confidence in the LEA or the process. Cabinet however decided to start the statutory consultation on Govilon and Llanover Schools
I have now, supported by some other Councillors, challenged that decision because it is a bad decision and is also against natural justice to have a ‘consultation’ during the school holidays. This challenge will be heard by a Select Committee on 16th July at 10.00am; this may delay the formal process until after the school holidays
We know that letters have been prepared to go out to parents on the day of the Select Committee (last day of term) to start the Consultation process. I have also formally complained about this and at the time of writing do not know what they will do.

Parents have been upset by this botched process; some have moved their children because they are afraid that MCC has got their sums wrong & they may not be able to get their children into nearby schools. We all understand the concern of parents but Please Don’t Panic. Inspection Reports say that Govilon is a very good school and we know the case for keeping it open is good. Nothing can possibly happen to Govilon School until (at the very earliest) the Winter of 2010/11.

DON’T PANIC THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE BY THE MINISTER IN THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT AND NOT MCC AND WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CASE

New Welsh Assembly waste strategy

Christine Walby — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:24:37 +0000

Many Govilon people young and old, care deeply about the environment. The Welsh Assembly Government is, rightly, giving a very high priority to the future of our children and reducing our ‘ecological footprint’. Their new strategy ‘Towards Zero Waste: One Planet’ aims to reduce by drastically reducing waste and recycling. MCC have done quite well in some respects byt recently took a backward step by deciding to mix up recyclable material in one sack; this means some of it is so contaimated it is useless for recycling or we get much less return for it. I collaborated with like minded Councillors to ‘Call In’ this decision and although we narrowly lost the vote we do appear to have forced MCC to think again about what they are doing!

You can read and comment on the consultation on the WAG Website. See http://www.wales.gov.uk/consultations or http://www.cymru.gov.uk/ymgynghoriadau.

Council News July 2009 – Budget, Policing & Market

Christine Walby — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:19:55 +0000

Budget

The County Council constantly pleads lack of resources but the final budget for the last year shows large underspends in a number of areas. The Audit Committee had only a couple of hours to scrutinise the budget and made numerous criticisms. Many of us will follow up with further questions.

Policing

Gwent police has now organised Community Policing in a more sensible way and we have PC Malwyn John and PSSO Georginna Care. Both are experienced officers who also cover Llanelly Hill and Gilwern. Many of you will have met them already and will know that they are very approachable and helpful. They are keen to hear your ideas about what needs to be done.

You can contact them on 01495 233917 or malwyn.john@gwentppn.police.uk / georgina.care@gwentppn.police.uk.

Next PACT meeting 6th August at 12.00 am in the Village Stores.

Planning – Market

The redevelopment of Abergaveny drags on interminably and meanwhile the town is blighted by the uncertainty. Meanwhile on 14th July the Planning Committee will consider the controversial application for a new livestock market and ancilliary works including alterations to the Highway at High House Farm, Bryngwyn near Raglan.