“one of the few pieces of legislation we’ve seen..”
Whilst we wait to see the details of any arrangements connected to the suggested Executive meeting on Thursday.. Some actual politics. UUP MLA David McNarry succeeded in getting his private members bill – Community Use of School Premises Bill – onto the Assembly’s agenda. But, as he notes in the clip, the Northern Ireland Education Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caitriona Ruane, had been lobbying other Executive Ministers to oppose it. It would appear that, in exchange for parking the bill, he’s secured a pilot scheme.
“Under the proposed bill, she says that schools would have to prepare a mandatory scheme for community use of their premises in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Education.”
Because Lord forbid that we would make better use of existing buildings, rather than building more dreary drab public buildings or “community centres”.
“My bill will benefit the communities, give access to facilities for communities and help address issues such as anti-social behaviour and local deprivation.”
….and mean that many rural towns who lose out in big funding to regional centres won’t have to go begging for “multi-purpose” centres that are a fortune to run and not used to their full potential.
“The Minister has pointed out that the bill, if passed, could result in significant cost implications for schools.”
Anyone got a handle on this? how much? What the trade-off against new buildings would be?
Pete,
McNarry isn’t a Tory in waiting but a New Labourite.
Check out Hain’s address in which he sets out a word class school system – in it he requests the same kind of thing McNasty-Unoriginal has put forward; will he also go for scrapping the 11 plus which is in there too:
NIO – Shortened Speech: http://www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=12847
Full Speech: http://www.nio.gov.uk/speech_by_peter_hain_mp_to_cbi_and_irish_business_and_employers_confederation.pdf
You see Hain wasn’t that bad after all
The McNarry/Hain Community Use of School Premises Bill is an amazing achievement, a testament to the efficient cordial relationship between all parties at Stormont.
However the rest of the world wants to know about the detail of any thrashed out deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP on the ESA, 11-plus replacement and admission criteria for schools.
Perhaps an announcement after the Education Committee meeting this morning?
What chance that Gavin Boyd is confirmed as Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Authority?
That he has cost the taxpayer more than £1 million in non-existence can only be a sign of things to come.