Saturday 14 December 2024
Select a region
News

Meerveld seeks two-month delay

Meerveld seeks two-month delay

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Meerveld seeks two-month delay

Wednesday 21 August 2019


Former Education Vice-President Carl Meerveld has circulated a draft sursis, in a bid to delay the States debate on the future of education until November at the earliest.

Deputy Meerveld is asking for feedback on his sursis, which he says is needed because the States have not been given enough time to consider Education's business case, which was published this week.

The States are due to debate the future structure of secondary and post-16 education on 4 September. 

"We propose that debate and determination of the propositions be delayed for a minimum of two months to allow all stakeholders (parents, teachers, the public and Deputies on behalf of the electorate) sufficient time to scrutinise and enquire into the facts and assumptions detailed in the Programme Business Case, upon which the Policy Letter and Propositions are based," the draft sursis reads. 

Bus

Pictured: The business case highlighted possible issues that extending the school day would have on bus services.

"Due to the late publication of the detailed Programme Business Case, only 11 working days prior to debate, it does not allow adequate time for thorough scrutiny of and inquiry regarding its contents.

"Policy letters dealing with propositions which have such significant financial commitments are or should be based upon detailed business case which are published with or incorporated into a policy letter. This allows scrutiny of and inquiry into the facts supporting a Policy Letter from the date of publication, which has not been the case in this instance."

Deputy Meerveld said his sursis would not delay Education's reforms, as the committee still needs to apply for planning permission for the school extensions. 

"The majority of the (£157m.) funds requested are for the construction of school premises. Plans for which are yet to be finalised; we have been informed that the planning application will be submitted in mid-October.

two schools colleges beaucamps st sampsons

Pictured: Education wants to create 11-18 colleges at St Sampson's and Les Beaucamps. 

"The Development and Planning Authority then have to consider that application (a three-month process). Once planning permission is granted, the Committee will have to undertake a tendering process and select a contractor before construction can begin.

"Postponing this debate for further consideration will not delay this process, which can run concurrently."

How does a sursis work?

If the sursis is laid, the States will debate on 4 September whether or not to approve the proposed delay. If they do, Eduction's policy letter will be pushed back until 16 November. If it fails, the States will go ahead with its debate on Education's proposals for two 11-18 colleges, a Guernsey Institute and the rebuild of La Mare de Carteret Primary. 

Pictured top: Deputy Carl Meerveld.


Sign up to newsletter

 

Comments

Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.

You have landed on the Bailiwick Express website, however it appears you are based in . Would you like to stay on the site, or visit the site?