New Portobello High School- Where and how?

[Izzie]

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

[Bob Jefferson]

From the EN Letters Page:

[Bob Jefferson]

Clearly, St Johns School Board has a lot of explaining to do. Many people were suprised when they opted for a re-build on Portobello Park since it was widely believed that the majority of parents favoured a re-build on the current PHS site. Did this view accurately reflect the results of the questionnaire sent to parents? We may never know, because the school board refuses to make the results public on the flimsy excuse that the information is confidential. However, an FOI request may yet resolve this situation.

If that raised a few eyebrows, then nothing can have prepared parents for their next move.

There were audible gasps of astonishment when Alison Connelly said that they now preferred a refurbishment. Was that a decision taken in the best interests of the school? As Bellybabe and Marya ask, what mandate do they have for this action? As a parent, I would be absolutely furious and I would be demanding the immediate resignation of the entire school board.

A refurbishment? Alison was eloquent in her description of just how bad the situation is at St Johns. How on earth could a school that is already too small be 'refurbished' to provide the accomodation they require? They have the opportunity to have a brand new, state of the art school just a few feet away from the present location and they are turning it down!

Not only are they looking this gift horse in the mouth, they are prepared to give it back and say 'no thanks'. All I can say is, I'm glad it's not me that has to explain this to St J parents, because I'm not sure I would even know where to start.

[Bob Jefferson]

Pictured a few moments after the momentous decision, from l to r:

Jackie Brock, Pal of Porty, Porty, Emma Wood, Richard Butt, Seanie

[seanie]

Gee I'm scruffy.

[Bob Jefferson]

I had a friendly chat with some PPAG supporters before the meeting. Well-known local musician, Joe Madden is pictured on the left. The other guy is Bruce Kidd, best known for organising local triathlon events.

[Bob Jefferson]

I missed the deputation by the PHS pupils but I'm told they spoke very well. From l to r, Rowan Bell (Head Girl), Craig Macdonald (Head Boy), Colum Fraser (S6) and in front, Jim Wyke (S2). Colum is the son of Andrew Fraser, chair of PHS School Board and Jim's mum is Sally Wyke, a member of the School Board.

[Bob Jefferson]

[Bob Jefferson]

And one final picture from today - happy smiling faces. A new school will come too late for them but they can take comfort in the knowledge that their efforts have helped to secure a brand new school in the park for generations of children to come. Well done to you all!

[Bob Jefferson]

This was my first experience of a full Council meeting and it was both interesting and instructive to see how they do their business.

A motion from the Labour Group, as amended by the Lib Dems, was carried. It acknowledges 'the high level of considered and measured debate that this consultation has generated, with nearly 800 people attending 3 public meetings, in addition to the individual and group submissions' and thanks everyone for their contributions, while pledging to maintain a dialogue with the community as the proposals develop over the coming years.

It approves the selection of Option C (Portobello Park), as the preferred location for PHS, subject to:

a) confirmation, through the courts if necessary, to the land being useable for this purpose
b) an audit of usage of the current park being undertaken to inform the re-provisioning of adequate facilities to meet that need
c) the identification of local available land for open space provision in compensation for the loss of part of Portobello Park
d) this land (which may include the current St John's Primary School site) to be identified and secured prior to the commencement of construction of any new PHS.

In view of St John's School Board's position, a Lib Dem addendum calling for 'a further report on new build versus refurbishment' was agreed, along with further assurances that no housing would be built on the remaining green space of Portobello Park/Golf Course.

The Conservative group wished to increase the roll of the new PHS to 1400 from 1200. This was not accepted but it was agreed (I think) to review the projections. I didn't quite catch this bit so I stand to be corrected if I've got it wrong.

[seanie]

I thought the kids from PHS all gave excellent presentations.

The St John's presentation was troubling. This debate's been going for some time now, long predating the statutory consultation, and I was suprised by today's submission. Personally I feel some regret. PFANS' aim was for new schools plural. But in our consultation response we said nothing about St John's. That wasn't because there weren't St John's parents involved in PFANS or opinions expressed on the matter but we felt unable to say much because we had no idea what St John's, collectively, wanted; be it parents, children, staff etc.

In that absence we didn't feel comfortable making a case for a particular option.

And as it turns out I still have no idea what St John's, on balance, wants. We've had demands to look at brownfield sites that aren't viable, ignoral of the options presented for consultation, comment on where PHS should go, questionnaires that are confidential and then, on the very morning of a decision, that refurbishment is preferable. Something that's not been mentioned before.

The St John's deputation complained today that St John's hadn't been listened to in the consulatation. But even if listening carefully it'd be difficult to discern a coherent position.

[gilo]

[gilo]

[Bob Jefferson]

[seanie]

[Porty]

[Bob Jefferson]

From today's EN:

[Pal of Porty]

[Porty]

[Porty]

[Porty]

[Bob Jefferson]

[seanie]

This has clearly been a difficult issue for many. Any loss of green space is an emotive issue, as is childrens’ education, and opinion has been divided. But there’s no serious dispute that a new PHS is needed and with the decision on Thursday that came a step closer. I know some will be dissatisfied but I’d hope most people would view locating the school on the park as the sensible solution: a modern school with facilities that do justice to the children of our community, whilst preserving the golf course where it is. That seems a reasonable balance given the limited options available.

There are many issues that still need to be resolved, not least the issue of funding, but if the community engages positively with this proposal we’re more likely to secure an outcome that satisfies the greatest number of people. If so there could be a role for the Community Council in facilitating ongoing consultation and dialogue to ensure that the design that emerges reflects the highest aspirations. There’s an opportunity here to create something quite special: a 21st century, sustainable school, with first class facilities, right at the heart of the community. I think that’s something to be positive about.

[Epykat]

[seanie]

[Epykat]

[seanie]

[Bob Jefferson]

[seanie]

Sustainability Bob.

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

[Porty]

[PortyMan]

[Porty]

[Porty]

UPDATED: We now have the report and the deciison from the council executive. Apologies if I missed anyone off I hope this "at a glance" balance sheet is useful.

SCHOOL ON PORTOBELLO PARK-THE BALANCE SHEET UPDATED DEC 23 2006*


ASSETS


FOR PORTOBELLLO HIGH SCHOOL ON PORTOBELLO PARK

GAVIN STRANG MP
PFANS
PHS STAFF
PHS PUPILS
PHS PARENTS
PHS SMT
PHS SUPPORT STAFF
PHS SCHOOL BOARD
TOWERBANK STAFF
CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL OFFICIALS
TOWERBANK PARENTS
TOWERBANK SCHOOL BOARD
BRUNSTANE PRIMARY
DUDDINGSTON PRIMARY
LISMORE PRIMARY
PARSONS GREEN PRIMARY
Labour:: Ewan Aitken
Conservative: Elaine Aitken
Liberal Democrat: Robert C Aldridge
Labour: Donald Anderson
Labour: Philip J Attridge
Conservative: Jeremy Balfour
Conservative: Ian J Berry
Labour: Andrew D Burns

Scottish National: Stephen Cardownie
Labour: Maureen M Child
Labour: Bill Cunningham
Labour: Trevor Davies
Liberal Democrat: Jennifer A Dawe
Conservative: Michael Dixon
Liberal Democrat: Paul G Edie
Labour: Edward B Fallon
Labour: William Fitzpatrick
Labour: Sheila Gilmore
Liberal Democrat: George D W Grubb
Conservative: The Hon David W G Guest
Labour: Kenneth Harrold
Labour: Ricky Henderson
Labour: Lesley A Hinds
Conservative: George A Hunter
Conservative: Allan G Jackson
Labour: Douglas J Kerr
Labour: Shami Khan
Conservative: Allan Laing
Labour: John A Longstaff
Liberal Democrat: James A D Lowrie
Conservative: Kate MacKenzie
Liberal Democrat: Gordon F Mackenzie*
Liberal Democrat: Fred Mackintosh
Liberal Democrat: Marilyne A MacLaren
Labour: Elizabeth A Maginnis
Labour: Lawrence Marshall
Conservative: Mark McInnes
Labour: Eric Milligan
Labour: Gordon Munro
Labour: Ian Murray
Liberal Democrat: Liz O'Malley
Labour: Jack O'Donnell
Conservative: Alastair S Paisley
Labour: Ian Perry
Liberal Democrat: Thomas V Ponton
Labour: Frank K Russell
Conservative: Jason Rust
Labour: Andrew Scobbie
Labour: Lorna Shiels
Labour: Kingsley E F Thomas
Liberal Democrat: Marjorie Thomas*
Liberal Democrat: Susan B Tritton
Liberal Democrat: David Walker
Liberal Democrat: Phil Wheeler
Conservative: Iain Whyte
Labour: Chris Wigglesworth
Labour: Donald Wilson

FOR St JOHNS PRIMARY ON PORTOBELLO PARK

PORTOBELLO AMENITY SOCIETY



LIABILITIES

PPAG
ST JOHN'S SCHOOL BOARD
PORTOBELLO GOLF CLUB

*There are e a number of groups that would accept both schools colocating on the park


NEUTRAL

Portobello Community Council

[PortyMan]

Sad...