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Archive => Archived Boards => Sale of Hibbert Lane Campus to Supermarket Chain => Topic started by: admin on October 10, 2011, 05:28:01 PM

Title: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: admin on October 10, 2011, 05:28:01 PM
The following statement from Cheadle and Marple 6th Form College has been issued for publication on the web site via Andrew Hubert this afternoon.

I have taken the opportunity to reply asking Andrew if the college will be attending Wednesday's night's Extraordinary Marple Area Committee Meeting (at the college) to answer questions from the local community. I have also asked Andrew if they are not attending to please explain why.


The Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College:

The redevelopment of Buxton Lane Campus.
 
During the past months the staff of the College and members of the governing body have received many comments regarding their intentions to bring their Buxton Lane Campus up to date using funds generated from the sale of our Hibbert Lane site. It has been extremely frustrating for us not to be able to respond to every individual communication however I do hope that those who have written to us will understand that the College simply does not have the resources and the time to respond to every individual in these circumstances. We have however acknowledged and responded in general terms to all communications and hopefully we can now fill in the gaps.
 
There has been a great deal of misinformation and rumour about what the College could do and indeed about the ultimate intentions of the managers of the College and the governing body. I hope we can explain in this short statement what the College has been able to do this far and what we hope will be achievable in the future.
 
Everyone will be aware that since the current economic crises started that schools, colleges and most other public bodies have been very badly affected by reductions in government funding and increases in tax such as VAT, our College has suffered additionally because of the number of sites we have had to maintain and because of their general condition. The managers of the College have a very good history in responding to the very challenging economic climate that we have all faced. This is borne out by them achieving excellence in financial management from “Young People’s Learning Agency” (YPLA) in a recent audit. Although the College is in good health it must act to ensure that it has a sustainable future in both  Marple and in Cheadle and to do that it must modernise if it is to be able to continue to provide the standard of education our students need and demand.
 
The management team along with the governors have explored all of the options available to the college and have concluded that its future is in Marple and Cheadle. All other options were rejected and the priority now is to raise sufficient funds to redevelop our Marple Buxton Lane campus.

When undertaking a review of the financing options again the management team and the Corporation reviewed all of the affordable options available to the College. 
The College has followed the guidelines laid down by the YPLA in dealing with the disposal and the Corporation has given consent for the sale of the site to a developer. The College is currently negotiating with a large retailer to sell the site to them. The sale however will be subject to them obtaining planning permission for a new store from the Local Authority.

The College has made these decisions for the good of its students, its staff and for the future of the College itself. It is regrettable that those decisions, although supported by part of the local community, they are opposed by others. We do however feel that it must now be left to the proper authorities to arbitrate on this matter.

I sincerely hope that this communication will answer many of the questions raised in the individual letters and emails we have received and that the local community, whether they support or oppose a new retail development in Marple, will appreciate that the College has acted properly in support of its staff and students and in a way which will guarantee its own future in Marple.

The College is currently developing its own plans for the redevelopment of the Marple Buxton Lane campus, and as soon as they are at a stage where they can be shared with the local authority and the local community, the full consultation programme will be commenced.

Lawrie Grant
Chairman of the Corporation
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Dave on October 10, 2011, 06:13:06 PM
A clear and helpful statement, although there's surely nothing there that couldn't have been said months ago?  But better late than never, I guess. 
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Miss Marple on October 10, 2011, 06:20:44 PM
A clear and helpful statement, although there's surely nothing there that couldn't have been said months ago?  But better late than never, I guess. 

Well at least we all now know so that's good !
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: sooty2 on October 11, 2011, 11:13:15 AM
What a load of long winded twaddle!it should of read,
                            We are selling to the highest bidder!
                            We don't care about your town!
                            We don't live there!!!!
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: amazon on October 11, 2011, 04:28:56 PM
What a load of long winded twaddle!it should of read,
                            We are selling to the highest bidder!
                            We don't care about your town!
                            We don't live there!!!!
                   They need the money to improve . ;D
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: tina on October 11, 2011, 04:38:52 PM
I'm glad the statement has been put on here, its pure and simple, they need to sell Hibbert Lane to focus on Buxton Lane. Not greed or to annoy anyone, just doing what they need to do for the future students. :)
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: admin on October 12, 2011, 05:07:43 PM
The following statement from Cheadle and Marple 6th Form College has been issued for publication on the web site via Andrew Hubert this afternoon.

I have taken the opportunity to reply asking Andrew if the college will be attending Wednesday's night's Extraordinary Marple Area Committee Meeting (at the college) to answer questions from the local community. I have also asked Andrew if they are not attending to please explain why.


Here is the answer I received from Andrew Hubert to my question about attending the Area Committee tonight:

"Mark

The College has been led to understand that the Extraordinary Meeting has been arranged so that groups for and against a supermarket on Hibbert Lane could have an open forum to discuss and air their views. As the College is in neither camp it would have no role to play in this.

There is nothing at this stage that could be usefully added to the statements already released by the Chair of Governors. When there are plans in a suitable form, showing the proposed Buxton Lane development the College will fully engage with the community. Similarly it would be expected that any development of Hibbert Lane, as part of the planning process, consults with the community at the appropriate time.

Regards

Andrew"
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Dave on October 12, 2011, 06:09:13 PM
I suspect one reason the college will not be attending this evening's meeting is that there is no point.   And the reason for that is actually contained in the MIA statement posted today on the 'Latest News' thread here on the forum, which says: 'Whilst we have empathy for the situation in which the College finds itself and understand that the Governors are constitutionally bound to seek ‘best value’ when offloading the Hibbert Lane campus, we would urge them to consider again the options.'

Now let's just unpick that.   MIA acknowledges that 'the Governors are constitutionally bound to seek ‘best value’.  But then it urges them to 'consider again the options'.  What options?  If they are 'constitutionally bound' to a certain course of action then there are no options.  And there would seem to be little point in the college turning up to discuss something that doesn't exist! 
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: heather on October 13, 2011, 11:31:57 AM
now we know its going to happen wouldn't it be better to work together instead of falling out amongst ourselves, while the council  and supermarkets decide what we are getting, that way we should be able to have a say in what we get. just a thought.
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: amazon on October 13, 2011, 02:14:50 PM
What a load of long winded twaddle!it should of read,
                            We are selling to the highest bidder!
                            We don't care about your town!
                            We don't live there!!!!
If You Sell your house you want the best possible price for it .and if some undesirables were to make you a good offer would you say not selling to you .might upset my neighbours . [ i dont think so ]
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: sooty2 on October 13, 2011, 04:27:09 PM
I would not sell my home to people I consider undesireable.It is unlikely I would move on from where I am now,apart from future needs due to age or health issues.I would not wish to leave possible problems to my neighbours where I have enjoyed living in a nice enviroment.Money is not everything! ::)even though it helps.
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: amazon on October 13, 2011, 04:32:01 PM
I would not sell my home to people I consider undesirable.It is unlikely I would move on from where I am now,apart from future needs due to age or health issues.I would not wish to leave possible problems to my neighbours where I have enjoyed living in a nice environment.Money is not everything! ::)even though it helps.
                It was only meant as an example / Dont take it so serious . :-*
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: My login is Henrietta on October 15, 2011, 12:01:57 AM
What a load of long winded twaddle!it should of read,
                            We are selling to the highest bidder!
                            We don't care about your town!
                            We don't live there!!!!
                   They need the money to improve . ;D
They need the money to pay their debts
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Dave on October 16, 2011, 01:00:29 AM
The college does not need to pay off any debts. Check their accounts via various links on earlier forum posts.
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Lisa Oldham on October 16, 2011, 11:53:39 AM
planning legislations states that the HAVE to have public consultation for this sort of development.. however they don't have to really take any notice of it... just pay lip service to it... tick the box on the form that asks if they've done it and then carry on with their plans.   

Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Dave on October 17, 2011, 06:35:31 PM
AFAIK it's the council that carries out the consultation, not the applicant.  The council will write to neighbouring properties, post notices on lamp posts etc, and consult with community organisations, such as Marple Civic Society.  In the case of a major scheme like this, there will probably also be displays (plans, models etc) on show at the Town Hall and, hopefully, somewhere in Marple such as the library. 
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Belly on October 17, 2011, 10:31:16 PM
AFAIK it's the council that carries out the consultation, not the applicant.  The council will write to neighbouring properties, post notices on lamp posts etc, and consult with community organisations, such as Marple Civic Society.  In the case of a major scheme like this, there will probably also be displays (plans, models etc) on show at the Town Hall and, hopefully, somewhere in Marple such as the library. 

You are both right. The Council will consult dirtectly with those specifically affected by the development (neighbours, etc) as well as statutory consultees (environment agency, etc).

The developer is also required to undertake consultation. Lisa is right to say, this can be of variable standard / extent, however, what they do must be recorded and if not properly conducted could be a case for refusal / judicial review by residents. In this case I would anticipate that there will be a planning exhibition held by the developer somewhere in the town (most probably at the site itself). This exhibition will last at least one day, probably more likely a weekend. I've just finished doing one not a million miles from here, they are exhausting but great for real local feedback.
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Henry_ on October 18, 2011, 08:33:28 AM
Not sure if this has been posted before but it's the leaflet handed out to prospective college parents by MIA

Quote
?16 October 2011 - SOME QUESTIONS THE COLLEGE WON'T ANSWER:

Text from a leaflet handed out to prospective users of CAMSFC during the Open Day yesterday:

If your child is considering attending CAMSFC, there are some questions you may want to ask the tutors and principal before you make any decisions.
...
This week [10-10-11] via the statement on the reverse of this leaflet, we have learnt that the Governors are now only considering one course of action to raise money to provide facilities fit for purpose – SELLING TO A SUPERMARKET DEVELOPER.

To date the Governors have resisted all attempts to open discussions on acceptable alternatives and have persisted with this course of action as being the only way they consider they can fulfil their obligations to their students and staff, but with no regard whatsoever to what this means to the community of Marple.

The Governors in their statement seem to have abdicated any responsibility for their actions by indicating that the supermarket developer, their lawyers, consultants and the Council must make the decision and fight it out. Ultimately they will be forcing Stockport Council into an appeals process that will be costly to all ratepayers in Stockport.

We have serious concerns that the money raised from the sale of Hibbert Lane campus (rumoured to be £12m) will not provide the capital required to transfer all the facilities such as Science Labs, Art Dept, Library, Sports Hall to Buxton Lane.

It seems to MIA that the principal and governors of the college have no respect for the community from which most of their pupils come, moreover their very limited communication and interaction has left many people wondering what the long term future is for the college in our community.

With this in mind perhaps you should ask the college representatives the following questions:

* Ask the Principal to reveal her future plans as we have doubts they are achievable.
* Ask the Principal what the medium and long term plans for CAMSFC in Marple and Cheadle are.
* Ask the Principal what will happen to the plans for Buxton Lane if the sale of Hibbert Lane is unsuccessful.
* Ask the Principal why they have not engaged with the community regarding the sale of Hibbert Lane campus.
* Ask the Principal if all the facilities from Hibbert Lane will be transferred to Buxton Lane.
* Ask the Principal if the move to Buxton Lane will involve redundancies.
* Ask the Principal if the move to Buxton Lane will mean dropping any subjects currently taught.

Make of that what you will  ::)
Title: Re: Statement from Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (10 October 2011).
Post by: Miss Marple on October 18, 2011, 08:41:50 AM
What assurances did the Yes campaigns leaflet give the parents  just a question as I can not find anything on the forum    The reason I ask is that the Yes campaign will need to have their answers ready for parents who WILL want reassurance from them if this development goes ahead .