The decision on whether to allow the amalgamation of Burfield and Phoenix is not one which is in the gift of the County Council, who are a consultee.
The decision sits with the Department for Education (DfE).
At the East Sussex County Council Lead member for Education meeting on May 24th and in subsequent conversations with Councillor Standley ahead of yesterday’s Lead Member meeting, I have raised the following concerns:
- Estimated pupil numbers likely do not sufficiently reflect the pressures from pipeline housing already permissioned in and around Hailsham
- There is an urgent need for an updated School Travel Plan if the DfE approves the merger
- There remains a need for adequate and accessible schooling provision in the south of Hailsham
- There is a clear danger of rising demand for local school services in the light of the new Labour Government’s decision to impose mandatory and substantially higher housing numbers on the district
Cllr Standley was clearly sceptical of the merger proposal at the meeting on May 24th which agreed ESCC’s response to it. The officer report detailed the predicted pupil numbers which indicated the merger would still mean there were sufficient primary school places in Hailsham and the surrounding area. Given the evidence, the Lead Member could not oppose the proposal but importantly he declined to support it. The minutes for the May meeting also emphasised that the DfE should take account of the strong feeling of the parents of children at Burfield and Phoenix.
Given recent updates to the estimated pupil data Cllr Standley asked officers for another report which was considered at yesterday’s meeting. Whilst the data still showed there were sufficient primary places in the Hailsham area they were tighter than presented at the May meeting.
As Lead Member, he approved a response to the DfE, who make the decision, to update the East Sussex response to the consultation additionally noting:
- The new pupil forecasts
- Changes in national policy on mandatory housing targets which may lead to additional pressure on school places in the Wealden District Council area
It is unclear to me what role the Town Council can play as it is unfortunately not a statutory consultee. But if they felt minded to, they might write to the DfE in support of some of the relevant arguments that I outline above and reflecting the concerns expressed by parents with children at the school(s).
