The Myers Grove - Wisewood schools merge debate

[Mr Bridger 10]

I am under no duty to inform you how SOCS legal action is being financed. But im sure if you look on the website a few fundraising events have been held and donations from the local community have been received.

Quite understand if you do not wish to expand on your answer but since the crux of many of S.O.C.S. accusations seem to imply the local authority has deceived the local community, I thought S.O.C.S. might have been prepared to be more open concerning the source of their finances? As taxpayers, we have a vested interest in knowing how our money is being spent, and, since legal aid is financed via the tax system, hence the enquiry.

 

The amounts raised by the fundraising events state approximately £865 has been raised, along with a few 4 figure private donations. Assuming S.O.C.S. have a senior partner dealing with this case, the hourly rate for this partner must be in the region of £200 to £300 per hour. Lets just say for the sake of argument, they took 24 hours to prepare the case, £7,200 at the top end rate. Add to this court fees, counsel fees? Obviously the £865 has disappeared very early in the day. I am left wondering how the balance of Irwin Mitchells legal fees are being met since they are hardly one of the cheapest legal firms around.

 

I wonder if the proposing group are aware that SCC are opposed to a sixth form at the 'new school'?

Can you substantiate this claim? I understand there is a report being prepared by officers on the proposal for presentation to the Council. This is looking at all aspects of the proposal including the sixth form. One of the main reasons the proposers group have been given the green light to run the new school was because of the choice and diversity it offered. I would refer you to your own S.O.C.S. colleague on the proposal group regarding the other issues you seem to have.

[rugs 10]

Quite understand if you do not wish to expand on your answer but since the crux of many of S.O.C.S. accusations seem to imply the local authority has deceived the local community, I thought S.O.C.S. might have been prepared to be more open concerning the source of their finances? As taxpayers, we have a vested interest in knowing how our money is being spent, and, since legal aid is financed via the tax system, hence the enquiry.

 

The amounts raised by the fundraising events state approximately £865 has been raised, along with a few 4 figure private donations. Assuming S.O.C.S. have a senior partner dealing with this case, the hourly rate for this partner must be in the region of £200 to £300 per hour. Lets just say for the sake of argument, they took 24 hours to prepare the case, £7,200 at the top end rate. Add to this court fees, counsel fees? Obviously the £865 has disappeared very early in the day. I am left wondering how the balance of Irwin Mitchells legal fees are being met since they are hardly one of the cheapest legal firms around.

 

 

Don't bother responding to this loopylulu as it's the usual political ploy of, 'we can't justify our position so let's attack the opposition.'

Absolutely stupid, childish behaviour! :rant:

[loopylulu 10]

Quite understand if you do not wish to expand on your answer but since the crux of many of S.O.C.S. accusations seem to imply the local authority has deceived the local community, I thought S.O.C.S. might have been prepared to be more open concerning the source of their finances? As taxpayers, we have a vested interest in knowing how our money is being spent, and, since legal aid is financed via the tax system, hence the enquiry.

 

The amounts raised by the fundraising events state approximately £865 has been raised, along with a few 4 figure private donations. Assuming S.O.C.S. have a senior partner dealing with this case, the hourly rate for this partner must be in the region of £200 to £300 per hour. Lets just say for the sake of argument, they took 24 hours to prepare the case, £7,200 at the top end rate. Add to this court fees, counsel fees? Obviously the £865 has disappeared very early in the day. I am left wondering how the balance of Irwin Mitchells legal fees are being met since they are hardly one of the cheapest legal firms around.

 

 

Can you substantiate this claim? I understand there is a report being prepared by officers on the proposal for presentation to the Council. This is looking at all aspects of the proposal including the sixth form. One of the main reasons the proposers group have been given the green light to run the new school was because of the choice and diversity it offered. I would refer you to your own S.O.C.S. colleague on the proposal group regarding the other issues you seem to have.

 

SOCS do not feel the need to be more open about there finances. Theres no need to be and dont have to.

 

SCC are not being truthful about the full figure about the amount the school will cost either to the general taxpayer.

 

You keep mentioning about the SOCS colleague in the proposal group - Why?? He is a member of the proposing group because if SOCS fail in their legal challenge at least we will have had an input into the 'new school' also (he has other reasons too).

 

A lot of things in this merger have not been answered by SCC or anybody else, so why should SOCS divulge everything they know especially when there are certain labour councillors on this thread?

[wolfstalin 10]

I'm wondering what your point is Mr Bridger, surely even if legal aid is involved, which I doubt, if they meet the criteria then they are entitled.

 

Are you proposing that matters in the public interest that receive any form of grant aide are somehow flawed because the system is so complex these days as to required the need for legal council.

 

Are not these objectors as justly deserving of public assistance as lets say a chilled molester?

 

Does the fact that they are poor working class people mean that they are not as justified in putting forward their views as the rich and wealthy like Jeffrey Archer, who by means of wealth managed to divert the course of justice.

 

How in any manner whatsoever is the financing of a case related to its standing unless that financing comes from criminal sources.

 

Frankly I find your comment disturbing, socialism turned on its head, all power to the powerful, and screw the common man if it don't suit your political agenda.

 

Is that the state of the Sheffield Labour Party these days?

[loopylulu 10]

I'm wondering what your point is Mr Bridger, surely even if legal aid is involved, which I doubt, if they meet the criteria then they are entitled.

 

Are you proposing that matters in the public interest that receive any form of grant aide are somehow flawed because the system is so complex these days as to required the need for legal council.

 

Are not these objectors as justly deserving of public assistance as lets say a chilled molester?

 

Does the fact that they are poor working class people mean that they are not as justified in putting forward their views as the rich and wealthy like Jeffrey Archer, who by means of wealth managed to divert the course of justice.

 

How in any manner whatsoever is the financing of a case related to its standing unless that financing comes from criminal sources.

 

Frankly I find your comment disturbing, socialism turned on its head, all power to the powerful, and screw the common man if it don't suit your political agenda.

 

Is that the state of the Sheffield Labour Party these days?

 

What a well said post.

 

But just to make it clear, none of SOCS financing comes from criminal sources.

 

Thought I would add that before we are accused of that also.

[wolfstalin 10]

Maybe not, if I were to make a donation some might argue differently, people keep saying "its criminal, what you charge", LOL.

[loopylulu 10]

Mr Bridgers

 

What about Wisewood Secondarys New Library - wasnt that partly sourced by the taxpayer

The new gym also and other things at Wisewood School.

 

Myers Grove also have a new gym and other things.

 

Isnt this a waste of taxpayers money if the schools are to be demolished to make way for a new school?

[greenrat 10]

Im sorry, but this story regarding the school merging not going ahead.

Why not? Surely its better to have one large school with more investment which in the long run equals better education.

 

But no, lazy parents who simply cannot be arsed to walk there PLD's an extra couple of miles.

 

But the investment IS avilailable to keep both schools open, something that the council omitted to say when it originally announced the plans.

[wolfstalin 10]

Im sorry, but this story regarding the school merging not going ahead.

Why not? Surely its better to have one large school with more investment which in the long run equals better education.

 

But no, lazy parents who simply cannot be arsed to walk there PLD's an extra couple of miles.

 

In the 'why not category';

 

Why not close all the schools and create one big super school, we could even make the kids bunk up there, whoohoo what a wonderful idea.

 

Next, we could take all the people who object and put them in a concentration camp, no complaints then eh.

 

Oh, what a socialist utopia we could create, no decention, and all the kids locked up at the super school, fannnntastic!!!!!!

[The Manager 12]

But the investment IS avilailable to keep both schools open, something that the council omitted to say when it originally announced the plans.

 

well said,

the council also said BSF would not fund small schools , but abbygrange (small school) has now got BSF funding!!

 

council also say the problem with the schools is falling rolls! well wisewood is still FULL and going on the league tables is now one place behind bradfield school so we now have two great school in the north west of sheffield

 

BUT there is a problem with myers , it can not attract pupils to its school !!

so what about keeping wisewood as is and making myers a small school!!! it could still build a 6th form or what ever 14 to 19 center on its site!! this is a option at this late stage dont you think!! and this would MR BRIDGERS save on tax payers money!

but im sure labour have wasted lots of tax payers money in

sheffield and i could go on about this but thats off topic!!!!!!

added to the fact now that asylum familys are moving in the area and this by the way is not in the consultation numbers, children from these familys will have to go to school somewhere in this area!

 

to close a good school like wisewood is madness in it self:loopy:

[blusky 10]

I agree to an extent with some of the posts on here but I think we need to be a bit careful.

 

It may surprise some but I am going to stand up for Max a bit.

As far as I can see he was only 'moderating' in terms of stopping personal attacks. That is his job and I think he was right on this occasion.

 

I agree that perhaps given his political affiliation he should reconsider moderating this thread. But I did not see any political bias in his decisions and I think any other moderator would have done the same. At the end of the day he is a volunteer and although I have crossed swords with some of his decisions previously (cyclists) I think we are in danger of jeopardising this thread if we keep challenging moderators for simply doing their job.

 

Lets keep our anger directed at the real villains - Sheffield Council.

 

As for Foxy; I think it was unwise to post the news story on. It had a 'tone' that was not nice. Having said that I think the personal comments about her were uncalled for. In addition it is clear that not everyone agrees with us on this thread. We shoul welcome people with different views like Foxy. If there was no debate the thread would be boring.

 

Finally with regards to the Max and Medusa stuff I think it is totally wrong for us to discuss forummers personal lives and relationships. This is an anonymous forum and should remain as such. I don't know whether they are a couple and frankly I am not bothered.

 

We should not be discussing that

[blusky 10]

It's a privately owned forum. If you don't like it take it up with the owner.

 

Come on lets keep this nice and remain on topic.

This is about a school not personalities or even a forum. the forum is merely a vehicle with which you can post, moan and campaign.

 

Lets draw a line under this.