The Whole Truth

12.00.00am GMT Sat 11th Nov 2006

The councillor at the centre of the controversial Stoney Middleton school closure plan, Alan Charles, was forced to admit on Thursday 2nd November that a crucial statement in the council's case for closure was wrong. The council had argued that because the school is small, it has had difficulty finding a new head teacher. But following a letter from the chair of the School Governing Body, the council has accepted that this was based on a statement in the formal document presented to cabinet that was simply not correct.

At the public meeting in Stoney Middleton School on 2 November, Councillor Charles said: "There has been an error made, and I'm apologising on behalf of the authority and making that correction this evening." But when it was put to him that he had been quoted in the local media making this false statement, and he was asked if he would be issuing a press release correcting the error, he said "To be honest I don't think they would use it as it isn't newsworthy. What I have done is taken legal advice on what I need to do to make that correction."

The chair of the Governing Body, Mr Peter Hobson, said "This period of consultation is a formal, legal process, and we're not sure where it leaves the council if the supporting documents for the process are inaccurate. It just goes to show what a hasty and ill-considered proposal this was, if they can't even get basic, easily checkable, facts right."

In the Matlock Mercury, October 19th, and the Buxton Advertiser, October 26th, Councillor Charles is quoted as saying: "The School is already struggling to attract a permanent headteacher because pupil numbers are so low". This was based on the following statement in the consultation document: "The previous Head teacher retired in July 2006. The Governing Body has advertised the post twice but failed to shortlist and therefore has been unable to interview for a new Head Teacher." The council now accepts that this statement is incorrect; only one advertisement was ever placed.

Related Links:

Matlock Mercury 19th October.

Buxton Advertiser 26th October 2006.