Final decision for Bridport's Mountjoy school (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Final decision for Bridport's Mountjoy school

3:30pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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AN independent adjudicator will take the final decision about whether Bridport’s Mountjoy special school should be rebuilt in Beaminster.

Dorset County Council’s Cabinet had been due to decide the issue at its meeting next Wednesday.

They were expected to confirm their officers' recommendation to build the new school on a site next to Beaminster Technology College.

But – because of recent elections – the meeting falls outside the eight-week limit in which a decision must be made following the issuing of public notices. Now a national Schools Adjudicator will be asked to reach a verdict.

Dorset County Council's director of children’s services John Nash said: “We made a request to the adjudicator to have the two-month period extended to allow Cabinet to make a decision, but this was turned down.”

The Office of the Schools Adjudicator is an independent body appointed by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. Adjudicators look at education matters and act impartially, independently and objectively.

When making a decision, the adjudicator will consider: n All the information and views submitted n Whether procedures have been properly followed n If any further information is needed The council anticipates the adjudicator will make a decision within the next few weeks.

The decision is final and must be carried out within the proposed timescale. The decision can be challenged, but only by application to the High Court for a judicial review.

In the meantime, at its meeting next week, the Cabinet will be asked to give the go-ahead for design work to continue – ahead of the decision – to minimise the impact on the timescale and budget.

They will also be asked to approve the purchase, subject to negotiations, of land to reduce the impact on Beaminster Technology College’s playing fields.

Mr Nash added: “The risk of waiting until a decision is made by the adjudicator could have an impact on the time it takes to rebuild Mountjoy, and we feel that the costs of waiting for the decision outweigh the risk of the adjudicator disagreeing with the proposals.

“We received eight responses to the statutory notices – all from Beaminster residents. They mainly emphasised the need to develop proposals with the town’s residents and were particularly concerned over traffic management and pedestrian access issues. We would make sure that local residents are involved in the planning process to address their concerns.”

Mr Nash said that although an excellent school, Mountjoy’s buildings are no longer fit for purpose and do not have enough space for the all the activities the school wants to provide.

Beaminster Technology College was identified as an ideal site after a suitable one in Bridport could not be found.

If the adjudicator gives the go-ahead, the county council will build a new 48-place school for three to 19-year-olds with physical and learning disabilities in West Dorset.

The council wants to make sure pupils have everything they need, including: * Multi-purpose areas, including facilities for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

* Outdoor learning spaces.

* Access to playing fields.

*Opportunities for work experience and suitable courses to prepare pupils for independent living.

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