The results of the recent public consultation exercise have been published. The Consultation Summary and Consultation Briefing Note can be read by clicking on the links.
Having briefly read through them, it looks like Education has done well in the ranking of least favoured cuts. We thank all parents and organisations for participating in the consultation.
On the 8th of December parent representatives of the East Lothian Association of Parent Council Members (ELAPCM) met with Don Ledingham (Director of Children’s Services and Education).
Don had requested the meeting in order to update us about the current budget planning for the next few years and the strategy for passing control of schools to trust organisations. The full minutes of the meeting can be read by clicking the link below. As always, comments are very welcome.
Knox Academy Parent School Partnership has submitted its response to the budget consultation process. It can be read by clicking: budgetconsultationresponsenov2009
You can lend your support by submitting your own comments online or by email to the consultation. Last year’s outcome suggested that the more supporting comments, the better. The closing date for comments is Friday the 4th of December.
As an aside, the Scottish Executive have just published a statement criticising councils for the significant fall in the number of teachers. It can be read here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27103833
KAPSP
You will be aware that ELC are considering dramatic cuts in the Council budget for 2010-2013.
The budget proposals would have a very significant negative effect on our school. In their ‘Spending Choices: Community Consultation Paper‘ ELC’s proposals include the following options:
Members of the Parent Council are gravely concerned at the impact such proposals would have on the standard of education offered to our children.
The document outlining proposed cuts can be viewed online and shows how much money we risk losing. There is an option to comment online or email your comments. We would urge you to take advantage of this.
There are also public evening meetings at Prestonpans, Haddington, Musselburgh, North Berwick, Dunbar and Tranent later in November and early December. To attend these meetings, you must first register, either online or by calling 01620 827873.
You may recall the huge amount of interest shown by parents at the last consultation event. This had a positive effect on the education budget where eventual cuts were significantly lower and the impact on the school was not as great as first feared.
Please do make sure your opinion is heard.
As many of you may be aware, draft budget proposals for 2010/13 were recently issued by East Lothian Council.
Details of the draft proposals, for your information, can be found by clicking here.
East Lothian Council are holding a number of Consultation Evenings to discuss the contents of the draft proposals. The Haddington consultation will be held on Thursday 26 November, Main Hall, Town House, Haddington