Cardiff Post Article July 2007

Much rumour, much speculation and much gossip.  This is what anyone would expect the plot of a mystery film to revolve around, not a Schools Reorganisation Plan which will affect practically every citizen in Cardiff in one way or another.  But this is what is happening.  Some Councillors have been briefed, others haven’t.  Some appear to know specific details of the plan, others know nothing.

 

The last re-organisation plan was a complete and utter disaster, and it wasn’t just the proposals that were to blame.  The secrecy and lack of transparency was apparent, and this caused major friction and animosity amongst Councillors.  Some of the bad feeling is still around, more than fifteen months later.  Anyone would think that the ruling Liberal Democrat administration would have learnt from their mistakes, but no.  We are facing a worse situation, all generated by their perceived lack of enthusiasm and confidence on what is being proposed this time.

 

The Council's website states that the Schools Sub Committee, which is looking at the proposals, holds its meetings in public.  This is incorrect.  The last two meetings have been held behind closed doors.  How on earth can residents, schools and communities be included in this process if they are firmly shut out of the meetings discussing these important issues?

 

I was amazed to hear through the unofficial grapevine that one political group on the Council has been given a briefing on some of the new proposals, but that some of the other groups had not been afforded that opportunity.

 

At the end of the day, what the people of Cardiff need to debate is the merit of the proposals, and they deserve to know these as soon as Councillors from all groups have been briefed.  If the ruling group are happy with the proposals, then they should have the confidence to put them out into the public domain.

 

My ward colleague Adrian Robson and I will be holding a Coffee Evening and Surgery on Thursday 12^th July, between 6.30pm – 8pm at All Saints Church Hall, Heol y Felin. 

 

I can be contacted on Tel 029 2062 7757, Fax 029 2087 7005, Mobile / Text 079 7001 3332, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk or www.rhiwbinaward.com