Vote to be retaken so that public 'can have full confidence'
Ealing Council announced today that the council's planning committee will reconsider the item on the application for a temporary classroom at Derwentwater Primary School.
A council spokesman said "At the council’s planning meeting on Wednesday 15 June an application for a temporary classroom at Derwentwater Primary School was considered.
"A vote was held at the meeting but there was some confusion as to the number of votes against the proposal because members had put their hands down before the vote was counted and recorded. As a result there was another show of hands but the vote changed so to ensure the public can have full confidence in the final decision the application will be considered again on 6 July."
Last week, the application for a temporary classroom to house an extra class of children from this September was passed by 6-5 in favour, with one abstention.
There was some confusion during the vote. The vote appeared at first to be a 6-6 split, but was retaken and Councillor Chris Summers (Lab, Northolt Mandeville), abstained from voting.
The debate about school places and the Derwentwater temporary classroom in particular, sparked a debate on the ActonW3.com discussion board. Councillor Kate Crawford (Lab, East Acton), who was targetted in the debate, told ActonW3.com that the vote was a 'good democratic process.' She said "as far as I'm concerned, we are allowed to talk to each other", referring to accusations that she influenced Councillor Summers' decision to abstain.
Four other schools in the Acton area - Southfield, Berrymede, St. Vincent's and West Acton will be taking an extra class of children in September in order to meet the growing need of school places in the W3 area. A final decision on whether an extra class of children will start at Derwentwater will be made in the early July.
Are you a parent in Acton concerned about school places? Email editor@actonw3.com with your views.
20 June 2011