Extra session for schools consultation

November 28, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

An extra open drop-in session is to be held next week as part of the ongoing public consultation on local school admission arrangements.

The extra session will be held on Tuesday 5 December between 6.30 and 8.30pm at the Civic Centre and follows a well-attended event held on 23 November. The additional event is being held after some residents in affected roads in the Leigh-on-Sea area told the council they had not received a previous letter informing them about the consultation and 23 November event. Another letter is being hand delivered this week.

Cllr James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says: “We are aware that this is such an important local issue and as the admission authority for community schools we have sought to hear as many views from the public as possible before determining final arrangements. Although there is no requirement to write to individual residents or hold consultation events, we felt it is important to go well above and beyond doing just what we have to, and ensure everyone is aware of the consultation and can have their say.

In the further letter being delivered this week, Cllr Courtenay, says: “The Council previously wrote to you on 8 November to make you aware of the consultation, how to respond, to let you know that your road has been identified as an area that has a proposed change to its primary school catchment area, and to promote an open session held at the Civic Centre on 23 November.

“We received assurances prior to….distribution that all necessary roads would be covered. However, it has become apparent and clear to us this week that this is not the case, for which we apologise, and we are rectifying this by writing to you again.

“Whilst the consultation has been widely advertised and featured in local newspapers and in community facilities such as Children’s Centres, libraries, and GP surgeries for example, I had previously promised that we would directly communicate with all of those households who are likely to be affected by any change, to ensure you have every opportunity to partake in the consultation.

“The failure for this letter to be delivered to all addresses, means that I felt it was important to write to you again to ensure you are aware of the proposed changes and invite you to participate in the consultation.”

The session being held on 5 December is a repeat event and therefore, to allow others to give their view, residents who attended the 23 November event are asked not register or attend.

Residents can also access the proposals and the response form online at: www.southend.gov.uk/schoolconsultation . Please ensure that you respond by the deadline which is 5pm on Friday 15 December 2017.