Confusion in council meeting as public shout questions over Barker’s Lane school – Councillor’s letter directed public to incorrect process

Local residents and members of the public will have an actual chance to put forward their views on plans to extend a Wrexham primary school after confusion earlier today.

Executive Board members voted to go ahead with a 28 day statutory consultation over proposals to increase pupil capacity at Barker’s Lane CP in Borras.

As part of the proposals the school would be extended so it can accommodate a further 105 pupils – which equates to 15 pupils per year group.

The first year of the increase would be September 2020, with nursery and reception classes each taking an extra 15 pupils. The annual admission number would then go up each year, until the maximum capacity of 315 pupils – plus 45 at nursery – is reached.

Barkers Lane item up, Clr Pritchard pre-empts a kick off, ‘you will all have your opportunity to go through the planning issues’ and notes this is just about going out for consultation. Refers to ‘exchange of emails’ and calls it a ‘hot topic’.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

However Cllr Debbie Wallice, who represents the Borras Park ward, said that whilst welcoming the start of the statutory consultation, there were concerns locally over increased traffic and congestion at Barker’s Lane.

Cllr Wallice also commented on the “safety issue” at the neighbouring Lisburne Grove, noting that there were 35 cars parked on that road this morning and that it is “not fair to residents that they have to put up with this twice a day.”

She also raised a series of questions on behalf of local residents who were in attendance at the meeting.

But Cllr Wynn said such issues could not be dealt with at this stage and urged residents to take part in the statutory consultation and planning process.

He said: “We are asking for permission a statutory notice, which is a vehicle by which anyone who wishes to object can do so.

“If an extension was to proceed than there is the planning process which residents and yourself can object to and raise concerns through the planning process.”

Head of education at Wrexham Council, Ian Roberts, added that it is up to Barker’s Lane School to determine where the after school club is based, not the local authority.

The meeting saw some confusion from some Borras Park residents in attendance about the process of asking public questions and how the council keep the public in the loop with items that are up for debate.

One person in the public gallery said they hadn’t been aware of that this morning’s meeting was taking place until Cllr Wallice told them last week. They also asked how they could ask questions when they don’t know the meeting is taking place.

Interjection from public gallery, man points out his question has not yet been asked yet via the Cllr as a proxy. It appears the ‘public question’ element of process is unknown, Cllr Pritchard is now explaining it, and inviting others to do so.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Man says the process is ‘unfair’ as he only knew about it before coming to the meeting today. If he is upset now, wait until he finds out the timescales for submitting a question 👀 Seems Legal Officer is about to tell him… !

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Legal Officer tells room (and YOU) opportunity is *not* for agenda item questions as the deadline is before the agendas get published (!) Murmurs of discontent in the public gallery.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Lots of leeway being given from the Exec Board / Officers for effectively a conversation between the public gallery and the meeting itself. Officer notes today is a procedural matter, with future opportunity for public feedback.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Hands go up in the public gallery to ask questions. Clr Pritchard draws a line and declines. Shout out 'with respect' 'as local residents we were not informed of this meeting by the council until our local councillor told us', points out can't ask Qs if don't know.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Having a nose about it seems Cllr Wallice might have inadvertently created this mornings meeting issues – in her letter (copy we have seen published online on 10th) implies / encourages public to ask questions today – so they are ! pic.twitter.com/amAXkQJ91U

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

The meeting and members of the public gallery were told by the council’s legal officer that there is a deadline for public questions to be submitted prior to the executive board meeting, and that the deadline is before agendas are published (as we have documented before) as questions are apparently not specific to agenda items.

It appears Cllr Wallice might have inadvertently created this mornings meeting issues over public questions shouted from the public gallery, as her letter (copy we have seen published online on 10th) implies and encouraged members of the public to ask questions today with no mention of the deadline infact being before the letter was dated.

Leader of Wrexham Council Mark Pritchard noted that traffic and parking is part of the planning process and that more information could not be provided until the statutory consultation was over and an application had been submitted.

He added: “I am sure there is some disappointment here, but we are trying to get through the process correctly.”

Officer says this is a planning issue ‘as and when’, public gallery have a bit of a chuckle. Clr Pritchard notes mood of ‘disappointment’ in the room, and again says such concerns will be tackled in the planning process.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019

Cllr Paul Jones asked for clarification on where the statutory notices would be published and how Wrexham Council would be looking to reach the largest possible audience.

He continued onto say: “Residents may not be on the internet or have children in school. Why can’t we just put a letter through the door?

“I think we need to be doing more to raise awareness of a local consultation.

The meeting was told that a notice would be place on the gate of Barker’s Lane school and that residents who have already submitted concerns will be contacted to be made aware of the process.

A notice will also be posted on the Wrexham Council website, and possibly buried at the back of the Leader newspaper.

Nine members of the executive board voted in favour of starting the statutory consultation – with Cllr Bill Baldwin voting against the recommendation.

Clr Pritchard encourages public to keep ‘making their voices heard’ and for coming along today. Item passes vote. Quite a pleasant interaction with the public gallery really in unusual circumstances. Public gallery empties with murmurs of things being ‘undemocratic’.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 12, 2019