Letter from Michael Miller, Church Warden St Martins Church to Strategic Director for Children and Younger Adults Derbyshire County Council County Offices, Matlock Derbyshire, DE4 3AG

(by Webmaster <info@stoneymiddletonparishcouncil.org.uk> on 22nd February 2007)

ST.MARTIN'S CHURCH, STONEY MIDDLETON

Priest in Charge: The Reverend Clive Thrower

from Michael Miller, Churchwarden Whitebeam Cottage, The Nook, Stoney Middleton, Hope Valley, S32 4TU tel. 01433 631590

11th February 2007

Strategic Director for Children and Younger Adults Derbyshire County Council County Offices, Matlock Derbyshire, DE4 3AG

re: Stoney Middleton C of E Primary School (DVE/DAH)

Dear Sir

I am writing to register my objection to the County Council's formal proposal to close the Stoney Middleton C of E Primary School on 31 August 2007.

I was present, as a Churchwarden of St. Martin's Church, together with other Stoney Middleton residents (school Governors, parents and members of the Friends, Parents and Teachers Association) at the meeting of Cabinet on 12 December 2006, when the decision was taken to publish the Statutory Notices proposing closure of the school.

We were dismayed at the content of the Strategic Director's Report presented to that meeting, which showed little real appreciation of the strength of feeling which has been expressed by members of the community here, and also by many others of significant standing, including Church leaders from the Bishop downwards, our Member of Parliament and others experienced in the teaching profession, from outside the village. We were also disturbed by the almost complete absence of any substantial discussion on the many points raised in our communications to Councillors, by members of Cabinet before the vote was taken on 12th December.

I ask you now for assurance that all of those letters, e-mails and other original communications, which were referred to in paragraph 2.3 of the Director's Report, are put before members of The School Organisation Committee, in plenty of time before its meeting on 8th March 2007, so that they can see for themselves how strongly this community feels about the County Council's decision.

We do not accept that proper consideration has been given to the part our school plays in the life of our community. For our young families here it is a focal point for them and importantly so for their children. Their parents are happy with what our school provides for the children - it is their wish that the school continues and they are the best judges of their children's needs. This has not been recognised by the members of Cabinet in voting to go forward with the closure proposal.

Yours sincerely

Michael Miller

Write a new message

Reply to this message.

Start a new thread in this forum.

Browse the forum

Letters of Support.