inspirED proposal

Just to spell it out for everyone.

The builders (not the council) will, as part of the PPP project, gain several plots of valuable land 'left over' after the new schools have been built.

This includes the prime, town centre, site of the Bishopbriggs Academy.

It is my understanding that anyone wanting to use this site (including the council) will have buy it back from the builders.

It will be interesting to see how much the land at Bishopbriggs High is worth as a percentage of the estimated £25 million profit.

The public can then calculate the cost of the Bishopbriggs schools - subtract this figure from the project cost and work out how much the council really spent building our two schools.

This can then be compared to the money spent in the other council areas.

Given that the builders had been told what site to build the new Academy on and knowing that they would gain the land left over.

Their first duty as a PLC is to their share holders to make the maximise profit.

That said, the builders have to be commended on their proposal to switch sites and move the new school, away from the town centre, onto the outskirts of the town.

This would then leave them with a large plot of prime land in a town centre location and allow them to build on a flat site.

But then the did make their decision on 'educational' grounds, it truly was inspirED.

Surveyors start work at Morrisons

Surveyors have started work on the new Bishopbriggs High site development.

They were working in the car park of Morrisons this morning.

The High School site is not due to be vacant for a couple of years, until the new Academy is built.

Are they keen to find out the value of the land they have gained through the councils decision to built at Thomas Muir?

Power cut hits classes

Just one day after the extended October holiday a power cut has disrupted classes at Bishopbriggs Academy.

A number of children have lost teaching time due to the failure.

Hopefully they will be OK to recover the time lost.

Council unveil school plans

Designs for the new Bishopbriggs Academy are to be put on display.
Pupils parents, and members of the public, will be able to see the Bishopbriggs Academy plans and designs at an open evening on Monday, November 6 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm at Bishopbriggs Academy on the former Bishopbriggs High School site.

John Morrison, the liberal democrat council leader (who voted to build the Academy on the Thomas Muir site, against public consultation) urged the parents and public to turn out to see the plans.

Designs will remain on display for a short time after the open evenings to allow pupils and staff to look at them.

Academy up and running?

After an extended October break, huts in place, pupils are finally located on the Bishopbriggs High site under the umbrella of the Bishopbriggs Academy name.

Now the school is one, I look forward to seeing what happens with the existing interim school board.

Supported studies should help the pupils catch up with lost time due to 'extra' days off and extended breaks.

Pupils to be "consulted" over exams...

Pupils asked for verdict on exam

Pupils across Scotland are being asked whether they think Standard Grade exams should be scrapped.
The Herald can reveal that the consultation exercise, run by Scotland's exam body, is part of attempts to see if Standard Grade courses are still delivering what pupils want.

More from The Herald

Consultation, consultation, consultation and more consultation

How the council voted with the developers...

I have produced this map clearly showing the divide in East Dunbarton Council over the location of the Academy.

All the Liberal Democrat councillors, mainly from outside Bishopbriggs, voted against the amendment to allow the school to be built on the previously preferred site at Bishopbriggs High.

inspirED expect to make millions from schools project

You read it here first, on Wednesday September the 21st, this site reported the project was now worth £125million.

The local media says the developers estimate to make £25million profit from the East Dunbartonshire schools project. (Oct 18th, Bishopbriggs Herald, page 13 )

inspirED = Amec, John Laing and Innisfree

It is also reported that part of the deal will includes 'prime land' including the Bishopbriggs High School site (the site the people of Bishopbriggs choose as the location for the new Bishopbriggs Academy - but the council rejected). Plus surplus land on another four sites.

The public consultation on the Bishopbriggs School was rejected by ALL, and only, the Liberal Democrat members of the council. Only the provosts' casting vote managed to approve the location of the Academy onto the Thomas Muir site on the outskirts of Bishopbriggs.

Councillor Billy Hendry, who opposed the move, doesn't want to see any developers make a fortune at the expense of Bishopbriggs future on the use of the 'prime site' Bishopbriggs High School land.
I urge you all to let the council know 'your view' on the use of the Bishopbriggs High School site and who should 'profit' from it.

No Change in cost or time scale

The council have reassured the public that the project is still costing £100million and the time scale remains the same.

Their 'reassuring' wording "It is still our aspiration to have the schools open in 2008"

Dictionary meaning:

aspiration
noun
1 (usu. aspirations ) a hope or ambition of achieving something : he had nothing tangible to back up his literary aspirations | the yawning gulf between aspiration and reality. • the object of such an ambition; a goal.

Bishopbriggs High site

What do the council, and developers, have planned for the 'prime' town centre Bishopbriggs High site?

Will you have a say?

Will the council listen?

Will the £1.2million games hall survive or be demolished?

Will the existing empty shops be filled before more are built?

Who will benefit from their decision?

John Morrison (council leader) has already confirmed that they have started planning the redevelopment and various ideas are in the pipeline.

They include:

Commercial premises
Public space
Retail development
Housing opportunities
Community facilities (sports hall?)
Parking

Any retail or commercial development would have to include public space and parking. Housing opportunities doesn't sound that promising to me.
Community facilities, retention of the Sports Hall? The council would only say "it is being considered".

They say their are "opportunities" to work closely with

Local people
Traders
Community groups
and their
Partners (the Developers?)

Another 'consultation' process... we all know what that could mean.

Is the interim school board legal?

The following is from an email I received regarding the position of the interim school board.

Looking over your site I am concerned at the below extract from a contributors letter which seems to indicate that both Boards of Thomas Muir HS and Bishopbriggs HS ceased to operate as individual entities some time ago and indeed operated as an Interim Board for all matters.

(2) the Board's view did not change but, as you know, the Board ceased meeting as a separate entity following the establishment of the Interim Board and before the Council indicated that the builders had submitted proposals to build at the Thomas Muir site.

This concerns me greatly ,if true, as this is not what the School Board Scotland Act 1988 dictates will happen.

Interim Boards should only concern themselves with arrangements for the new amalgamated school e.g. primarily only selecting the new Headteacher and Senior staff and deciding on the new uniform.

All other matters should be dealt with separately by each Board meeting independently.(See School Board (S) Act 1988 Section 7) and both should be deciding matters for the benefit of the parents of the school they represent.

Sec 7(2) provides that an Interim Board will be established in the case of a combined school as soon as the decision to constitute it has been taken. The Interim Board is to comprise of members of the School Boards for the schools being amalgamated, meeting together,or,where only one of the school concerned has a Board, the members of that Board. Their functions as an Interim Board will relate only to the proposed new school. The existing Boards will remain responsible for the old schools so long as they continue.

Sec 7(4) determines that an Interim Board is to cease to exist when a School Board has been established for the combined school. This should occur as soon as practicable after the first pupils are admitted (sections 1(1) and 2A(2))

I agree that this did NOT happen - I wonder what consequences that will have?

This information has been confirmed by and independent Executive School Board Member.

Anger at extra two days lost from teaching

Parents were unhappy at the lack of notice regarding the extra two days holiday after the October break (one day).

Considering the council had to apply to the Scottish Executive for permission they feel that a days notice was not enough.

Even parents at the school on Wednesday evening for parents night were NOT told.

The council have apologise for the inconvenience that the closure may cause

See earlier post "3 teaching days lost this year" - so far.

The council state: "This closure is vital to ensure a smooth transition."

Please let me know how smooth it goes.

More from Bishopbriggs Herald

This web site is not popular with the Interim Board

Minutes of the interim school board (in the public domain) still do NOT clarify their view on the location of the new school.

It's their view as they never did consult the people they are 'supposed' to represent.

Here's what they say on the council press release...

EDC's Public Affairs Dept contacted the Board Chair (don't know which one) to clarify a point regarding the Board's view of site choice quoted in an EDC press release. Mr J Lland had contacted the council as he had felt the statement was misleading. The Chair was able to clarify the Board's view.

Unfortunately they didn't think it was worth stating that view in the minutes!

In a reference to this web site the board have take the decision that "it should not be given credence"

They also state this site was "set up to rally support in opposition to the choice of the Thomas Muir site" support from whom? It doesn't matter 'my view', 'your view' or, as has been seen, the public consultation view - only the twelve Liberal Democrat councillors view mattered (Names listed below). Yet another ill informed and short sighted view.

If the Interim Board, or anyone, has any reason to question the facts or as they put it 'credence' presented on this site they are welcome to contact me - I know they read it.

Sadly, they are quick to reject the views of the 'consulted public' on the location of the Academy, as did the council, and they still maintain the Board agreed with the council decision before it had been made!

I received this email earlier tonight also about these minutes...

1. The Board's view on the best site is still being kept a secret from parents. (see above)

2. It took the involvement of the Community Council and the Woodhill Residents Group to get a crossing patroller put on the Woodhill Road/Wester Cleddens Road Junction in early October even though it was flagged up as an issue at the end of August. (see earlier post on this site)

Regarding the contributor who sent the letter putting the High School Board's point of view about the saga of the 'support' the Thomas Muir site, while I agree that it is a fairly thankless task being on a School Board... or any organisation of this nature for that matter...it does not remove the necessity to be accountable. And with that accountability comes responsibility to represent the views of the people who you are supposed to represent. Not to just represent your own views. Sadly, I fear that this self representation is what has been going on with the Interim Board...or perhaps just seeking the 'top' position.

Another two teaching days lost

Informed by letter today (12th October - only received one this time) that another two teaching days will be lost due to the amalgamation of the two schools.

That's three days so far plus the prelim dates have also been brought forward.

I have been assured that extra supported studies will be in place two weeks after the pupils start back.

Please make sure your children support them and the school.

Although the letter you received from the school quotes the phone number 0141 762 3110 on the front page this is wrong.
Later, on page three, you will find the correct phone numbers to use.

Parents should use:

0141 772 1529 or
0141 772 7954

Consultation... Consultation... Consultation...

BBC Radio 4 are broadcasting a programme on 'why there is so much consultation done nowadays'....

... and why most of the opinions are ignored.

They suggest it's used to play 'lip service' to the public appearing to having a say in decisions that really they have NO say in at all.

Now, why does that remind me of the EDC and the High School?

Minutes of the council meeting in July...

Still not on the web site, I requested them from the legal department..

They have been emailed to me and I note the following.

I cannot find any reference to the 'educational advantages' of the Thomas Muir site anywhere in the document.

The presentation by the three external advisors considered the following...

"key requirements of the process; legal evaluation; financial evaluation; and design and technical overview"

... no mention of educational advantages.

The recommendations to the council for approval considered the following...

To approve that Bidder 1 should be selected as the preferred bidder for the PPP Project (subject to the Scottish Executive’s KSR 2 approval) on the basis of their bid for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of the six schools in the Project with the exception of the cleaning service in the schools

... no mention of educational advantages.

At the beginning of the meeting councillor Hannah requested that the Provost refrain from using her casting vote, the Provost declined the request.

Councillor Hannah asked that the section regarding the building of Bishopbriggs Academy on the Thomas Muir site, recommended by Bidder 1 should be change to read on the Bishopbriggs High site.

On a split vote 12 to 12 the provost used her casting vote to reject his amendment.

The councillors that voted for the amendments (including building on Bishopbriggs High site, as voted for by the public and Jo Swinson) were...

Councillors FOR the amendment

1 Alan Brown - Cadder and Langbrae - Conservative
2 John Dempsey - Campsie - Labour
3 Rhondda Geekie - Kirkintilloch Central - Labour
4 Alex Hannah - Woodhill East - Labour
5 Billy Hendry - Balmuildy and Park - Conservative
6 Anne Jarvis - South Lenzie - Conservative
7 Charles Kennedy - Milton - Independent Alliance
8 Edward McGaughrin - Hillhead and Broomhill - Labour
9 Alan Moir - East Harestanes and Twechar - Labour
10Michael O’Donnell - Auchinairn and Woodhill - Labour
11Tom Smith - Woodhill West - Labour
12 Jack Young - Rosebank and Waterside - Independent Alliance

Councillors AGAINST the amendment

1 Fiona Callison - Chapelton - Liberal Democrat
2 Duncan Cumming - Barloch - Liberal Democrat
3 Robert Duncan - Castlehill and Thorn - Liberal Democrat
4 Eric Gotts - Clober - Liberal Democrat
5 Gordon Macdonald - Lenzie - Liberal Democrat
6 Cathy McInnes - West Kirkintilloch and Torrance - Liberal Democrat
7 Margaret McNaughton - Kenmure and Baldernock - Liberal Democrat
8 Vaughan Moody - Westerton - Liberal Democrat
9 John Morrison - Kessington - Liberal Democrat
10 Fiona Risk - Keystone - Liberal Democrat
11 Julia Southcott - Bearsden - Liberal Democrat

Casting and deciding vote...

12 Provost Patricia Steel - Baljaffery and Mosshead - Liberal Democrat

ALL the Liberal Democrats voted AGAINST the amendment and used their casting vote to push through the decision.

The wording in the minute contains an observation about her previous employment in education - I find this strange within the minute of a meeting, it can only have been include for one reason...

"The Provost, having listened to the debate and using her 32 years teaching experience used her casting vote in favour of the motion, which was accordingly declared to be carried.

After 32 years teaching you would think that she would had learned something - it was the people that voted her party into office.
They were asked their decision on the location of the school and then ignored - the people cannot, and will not, be ignored next election.

Hopefully soon you can read the minutes online - please read them.

Council minutes

Tried to access the East Dunbartonshire council minutes - only to see this...



I'll keep try...

Bosses put freeze on £7.7m school repair cash

Millions of pounds which were to be spent on improving school buildings in the Clydebank area have been frozen.
Council chiefs won't spend a penny of the £7.7million which had been set aside after a ruling that elected members broke the law.

Accountants claimed local politicians failed to adopt a process of open decision-making and warned that legal breaches at West Dunbartonshire Council could even be widespread.

More from The Evening Times

Buddies plan to fight bullies

Schools were yesterday urged to make greater use of buddying systems and pupil councils to combat bullying and indiscipline.
First Minister Jack McConnell said such schemes – already widely used – were the key to long-term good behaviour in schools, rather than tough rules.
The comments, during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, follow a difficult week for the Scottish Executive on education after the publication of a report on indiscipline.
An executive-funded study published on Monday by the National Foundation for Educational Research reported that almost half of secondary teachers in Scotland saw violence as a problem in their school. The most common complaint was low-level indiscipline, which ground down teacher morale.

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