Purchase of Clifden Road site site for the provision of school places [Council minute, July 21]

• [Jul 21]: . . CABINET received an urgent late report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources . . The purpose of the report was to seek agreement to the purchase of the site of the Richmond Adult Community College, Clifden Road, Twickenham, to provide future school provision.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources introduced the item and reminded members present that the decision before them was to agree the purchase of the site for school provision at this stage. Decisions regarding the type of school and whether it may provide a Catholic Secondary school for the borough would be a process completed after this initial decision had been taken. He argued that a school on this site would benefit children and parents in the Borough, as well as the college and those partaking in adult education.

Cabinet heard representations from members of the public:

- Mr Joyce (speaking in place of Mr Kennedy) addressed Cabinet and during his representations made the following points:

• That a Catholic Secondary School in the Borough was welcomed by Catholic Parents in the Borough.

• As a parent it concerned him that in order to continue a catholic education his children may have to be schooled outside of the Borough, but if a new school were built this would no longer be necessary.

There were no questions for Mr Joyce, but the Leader thanked him for his comments and conveyed the best wishes of Cabinet for Mr Kennedy's speedy recovery.

- Mr Heather addressed Cabinet and during his representations made the following points:

• That he represented the Richmond Inclusive Schools Campaign

• That the purchase of the site was welcomed as further secondary school provision in the borough was needed.

• That although it was not part of the decision tonight, a recent press release had claimed that the site would be used for a Catholic School. This decision could be taken only by the diocese and not the council.

• A Catholic School would benefit only 10 % of the population of the Borough. The other 90% would still need to be provided for and this may require two more new schools.

Lord True thanked Mr Heather for his representations and sought to clarify the position of the inclusive schools campaign on the legitimacy of faith schools in general.

Mr Heather reported that the group was made up of diverse individuals with different views on faith schools but that the key factor was that there were not enough community school places, these should be the priority with faith schools being built only when all children have secondary places available. He continued that should a Catholic School be built on the site Richmond Inclusive Schools Campaign would argue for the most inclusive admissions policy possible.

On further questioning Mr Heather confirmed that the campaign had a constitution and that all residents were welcome to join.

- Ms Hilton addressed Cabinet and during her representations made the following points:

• That although she was a community school governor she spoke as an individual before Cabinet not as a representative of the school or other governors.

• That a community school should take priority over a faith school where need existed as it did in Richmond.

• That the priorities of the council should be greater choice and diversity and that building a faith school would not help in the achievement of these aims.

- Lord True thanked Ms Hilton for her work as a Governor and thanked all of those who had made representations. He assured those present that the Council respected diversity and saw a Catholic school as a way of achieving this not undermining it.

The Cabinet Member for Schools also reiterated this point. He agreed that another secondary school would be needed but that this was part of the plan and a site was actively being sought.

He also addressed the following points:

• That it was for the diocese to make an application to the Secretary of State in order to create a faith school and this was acknowledged within the report before Cabinet;

• That the time was right to create a new school in Richmond and other ways of increasing capacity would continue to be investigated;

• He would strive to increase school places and the desirability of the places currently available.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources addressed those present. He reported that in April after a debate in full council brought about by the presentation of a petition in favour of a Catholic School, there was cross party support for the principle of a Catholic School; including a speech in favour by the Shadow Cabinet Member for Education. He argued that after a show of support with no objections it would be hypocritical for Cabinet not to act when a suitable site presented itself.

He assured those who had made representations that he respected the argument that education should be secular but he felt that diversity was encouraged by the creation of faith schools, not threatened.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. The purchase of the RACC premises at Clifden Road, Twickenham, for future school provision, on the terms set out within this report and within the confidential report be agreed;

2. The consequent review and possible addition that will be required to the Council's capital programme be agreed;

3. That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment in consultation with the Director of Education, Children's and Cultural Services, to agree any amendment of terms or detailed matters, as necessary, and in liaison with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Schools and the Head of Legal Services.

Following the agreement of the recommendations Councillor True spoke to those present about the council's intentions. He said that Cabinet heard and respected the arguments involved and was committed to increasing school places and that this would include the provision of a Catholic Secondary School. It was true that the Diocese must make representation to the Secretary of State to waive competition on the creation of a Faith School and the council would support them in this process. The aim of the administration was to make good on its commitment to provide a Catholic School and he hoped that the cross party support so far received would continue.

• Full minutes of the cabinet meeting, Ju 21

• A new community secondary school must be the first priority [July 18]]

• Richmond Inclusive Schools Campaign

• Inclusive Schools ePetition