New Portobello High School - PPAG Judicial Review

[mr magnolia]

[joeshmoe]

I've had a response from Kenny Macaskill


Thank you for copying me in to your e mail. I am sorry to read that. I was with Peigi McArthur and senior pupils earlier today. Though feelings run deep in the community the time for debate has passed and the time for construction has arrived.

It’s for the council and their lawyers to consider the issue of expenses but they invariably follow success. I doubt there is any merit in any further appeal and unless there was an agreement predicated on abandoning an appeal I can’t see why they should not be pursued.
Kenny MacAskill

[seanie]

[seanie]

[joeshmoe]

[sopeph]

Is it worth putting a standard letter on the talk porty website that we can all download and sign? That way everyone who is against this appeal is likely to contact Kenny MacAskill and their local Councillors? I think everyone would be more than happy to turn up at the park to show our active support for the new school. Enough is enough.

[seanie]

A petition's being organised to demonstrate support for the school. As for the issue of costs, it may or may not have a bearing depending on the legal position. I'll try to get some clarity on that.

[Bob Jefferson]

Please sign the petition and post the link on your Facebook page:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/dea ... ppeal.html

[Jamesie]

Not had time to read through the whole thread so apologies if this has already been covered, but did the Petitioners seek a protective costs order at the start of the hearing, and if so were they successful?

[seanie]

The issue was mentioned briefly at the start of proceedings but there seemed to be an agreement to deal with the issues of costs later. Don't know the ins and outs of it.

[Makaveli]

Surely in cases such as this when the council have won the first case and an appeal is brought the council would then go after costs (in this case from PPAG) for costs from the first case?

That seems fair to me.

[joeshmoe]

Reply from Cllr Maureen Child


I agree, it is disgraceful.

Maureen

[storky]

With the May elections coming up, it is also worth noting that Councillor Stephen Hawkins (Lib Dems) is a PPAG supporter.

[seanie]

He's not standing.

[Jamesie]

[Makaveli]

Shame that - would like to have seen costs pursued in this case.

[seanie]

[Makaveli]

How many times does this idiot have to be told that it is not 25% of Portobello's green space being lost?

[gillian]

I have just had an email, after signing the on line petition, saying there is to be a mass demo of parents and pupils, on the park after school tomorrow. Anyone know about this?

[wangi]

Hi Rosa, see http://www.facebook.com/events/346624398706241/

Basically aim is to have as many as possible making noise & their feelings known... Portobello Park at 1pm tomorrow.

L/

[Pal of Porty]

I am not too bothered about costs as I am much more concerned about the potential delay being caused to the much needed rebuild of the new school.

Surely there has to be a mechanism that can promptly validate the substance to an appeal, which has already lost on both delay and merit. The recent EEN article demonstrates that PPAG have conveniently ignored what the judge said in court and they continue to peddle their factually incorrect information interwoven with lies and mis-representations. I would not even be surprised if PPAG have only appealed to cause maximum buggeration and have every intention of withdrawing before it costs them anything - the previous behaviour of their main players certainly makes this a possibility.

Portobello is most definitely not a split community - it is only a handful of people who are making it appear so and the time has come to demonstrate this.

[storky]

The best way of proceeding with the school as soon as possible is to destroy PPAG financially. Pressure has to be applied to our Council to seek legal costs, thus preventing them proceeding with their appeal.

I have requested a FOI on the costs to date. I will post once received.

[Porty]

[Bob Jefferson]

A reminder that today is Demo Day in Portobello Park. Everyone will be heading up there after school breaks, aiming to be in the park for around 1pm. We hope to have some speakers and maybe even a samba band! This is an opportunity for all parents and their children, and anyone else who supports our cause, to come along and demonstrate their support for the new school, which is now threatened with further delay by PPAG's intention to appeal.

We are asking PPAG to drop their appeal for the sake of the thousands of local children whose education will be damaged by their actions.

What do we want? A new school!
When do we want it? Now!

http://www.facebook.com/events/346624398706241/

[Makaveli]

Have you informed Norris McWhirter to come along?

I am sure this will be the world record for most number of folk using Porty Park at one time!!!

[Bob Jefferson]

[Bob Jefferson]

[storky]

I'm certainly not impressed with the response of the local councilors to this matter. Almost five working days and only two acknowledgements. The only decent reply was from Kenny Macaskill!

I've requested the email addresses of all the Edinburgh Councilors in a soft format. Perhaps the Councilors in other wards will have a little more interest. They should have as it is a general Edinburgh issue.

[joeshmoe]

[joeshmoe]

[Bob Jefferson]

Official press release from the Council:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/articl ... ourt_costs

[Makaveli]

Well done CEC!!!!

[Porty]

May sound like a daft question; who are PPAG?

The group had to formailise in order to bring the court action, Does anyone know who how many and who the named indivduals are?

[storky]

[Franck]