Labour Group at County Council Call for Equal Treatment for ALL West Sussex Families Affected by Failings in Provision of Secondary School Places
Labour’s County Councillors have been contacted by families across the County who have been affected by Tory controlled West Sussex County Council’s failure to plan adequately for the 2023/4 students transferring to secondary education.
Last week saw a video posted on Social Media by Tory MP for East Worthing, Tim Loughton and Cllr Boram who represents that area at county laying heavy criticism at the door of the Education Department in Chichester about this appalling failure of provision, and seeking a meeting with the Leader to discuss the matter in relation to affected students in Adur.
Labour Councillors are concerned that the authority is responding to concerns raised by one of their own MPs, while many affected families in other areas say they cannot get a response at all from County.
The Labour Group have written to Leader of West Sussex County Council. Cllr. Paul Marshall to seek his assurance that all affected residents will be treated equally. [The letter is appended below].
Group Leader, Cllr Caroline Baxter (Worthing East) said; “I am really concerned that instead of looking at the problem across the County, West Sussex appear to be giving special consideration to those affected in Adur because of the intervention of a local Tory MP.
“It cannot be right that in other areas, parents are saying they cannot get a response from the County when the Council Leader, Cllr. Paul Marshall appears to be happy to set up meetings involving officers, councillors and the MP to explore solutions just for this cohort.
“It is bad enough that this problem has arisen. It is causing enormous stress for students and families across West Sussex, but that more attention should be given to a solution for one group is indefensible. That’s why we have written to Cllr. Marshall seeking his assurance that any measures applied to solve this strategic failing in Adur will be applied across the County.”
Deputy Group Leader, Cllr Alison Cornell (Langley Green & Ifield East) said; “These children have been in West Sussex schools for six years. It may be a so called ‘bulge’ year, but it cannot be called unexpected at this stage. We need answers as to how this has been allowed to happen and why adequate provision has not been properly planned for in the past six years.
“Solutions must be found before the September term starts because this is incredibly stressful for too many families, some of whom are looking at journeys over ten miles to a secondary school in another town.
“But we also want to make sure that there is no favouritism to families where the MP decides to shout about his own party’s failings so publicly. Children and families in Crawley, Horsham, Worthing or Haywards Heath must all be given the same help as any other in West Sussex. We have an absolute duty to ensure students across the county are treated fairly.”
Letter to WSCC Leader Cllr Marshall
Re: West Sussex Secondary School Placements
Dear Cllr Marshall,
We have all seen the social media video featuring Tim Loughton MP and Cllr Kevin Boram highlighting their concerns about this authority’s failure to make adequate provision for secondary school places in Adur. We are aware that you have also met with Tim Loughton MP to discuss Shoreham children and families who have been affected.
In the video, Cllr Boram says he will be encouraging and supporting his residents in making appeals; looking into transport options and meeting with yourself to discuss this situation. We concur with everything that is said in the video but wish to be clear that Adur is by no means the only place in West Sussex affected. Indeed, we have concerns for parents with children at Horsham schools who have reported to us that many are being met with silence on this issue.
County Councillors across all political parties are being contacted by distressed parents and families who have not been adequately provided for in the 23/24 secondary school placements.
In view of this, and to ensure any decisions made in response to the secondary school places fiasco are fair and democratic, we would like to be included or at the very least updated regarding any meetings and their outcomes on the issue.
We note (again from Social Media) that a further meeting with officers, Cabinet Members and yourself is planned and that school transport options (which the school cannot commit to fund itself) are to be looked at. Again, we are confident that you would agree any such discussions need to be equitable for affected families, students and schools right across the County.
We are therefore seeking your assurance that the opportunity to ensure all those affected are represented in any discussions and/or proposals will be provided, and to that end are seeking inclusion in this expanded process.
Moving forward we will also need a full and transparent explanation from the Cabinet Member responsible as to how West Sussex have failed so badly to ensure adequate provision for a cohort of children we have known about since they entered the education system a full six years ago.
Yours,
Cllr. Caroline Baxter – County Councillor for Worthing East, Labour Group Leader
Cllr. Alison Cornell – Labour Group Deputy Leader