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http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16761%3Amind-the-gap&catid=59%3Agovernance-a-risk-articles&q=&Itemid=27 james link above looking at localism act, the thread I put up previously on this thread regarding solicitors for councils taking bak control of local schools, may have came about through this act. Cant look at responses from councils at the moment. James in regards to WS Atkins,I would argue the point about Nick Stantons part in it, but I'm not interested, it was a long time ago. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10967084.Council_made__fundamental_mistakes__with_the_management_of_William_Penn_project/ Above is a more recent account of council dealings with this company. You will find if you look at the directors of this company they are not removed

James can this still be done by using the loclism act, and how and why has this been made easier. In relation to your link about WS Atkins, Nick Stanton refused to answer public questions regarding Steve Davies,and when central goverment were asked, there reply was to take it up with your local mp.As you've said before on this issue the past is in the past, but you use it now as redjam says for political point scoriing. I thought it was corrupt at the time, any ordinary person being involved in a scam, as this was, would be facing a judge. People who are elected by the public should remember they represent the people.

I heard about this Poker Time, but couldn't find anything on it, thanks. So many changes its hard to keep up. The universal job match (the official jobs website)where people must prove they've been applying for jobs, also people on zero hour contracts who need some housing benefit help, has been called into question over alleged fraud of a the company options 4 families, the police are invesigating this. A merseyside MP has demanded an inquiry, but has been told by the employment minister, goverment do not keep a record of complaints made against this site. http://www.frankfield.com/latest-news/articles/news.aspx?p=102635

I presume by james answer that he has asked this thread to be removed as a sticky. He says "we're very near to our target now, apart from the odd bit of news it will be several months before a public consultation." Theres a bit more about following on twitter, facebook. And "It also helps to move the campaign beyond being seen as run soley by lib dems" Can anyone remind me james views on transparency, how the council were/weren't persuaded by him. What part will the steering group have on decisions. Who knows,

Oops on phone, I think its sad this goverment are demonising people it seems to be stoppinh them seing the potential, I know the example I gave above, giving people the choice to help, helping them to feel good about themselves and part of something In relation to the link I put up before about Southwark Council, will real help be offered to homeless people or will it be a case of just moving them on.

The last few years there have been many people affected by flooding, houses become inhabitable again only to be flooded again. I realise many homeless need more than just shelter, but I would think many would jump at the chance if given a choice to help others using skills they may have, or learning new. In a situation where people are evacuated temporary places could be built for these workers, it would bring people together who feel isolated, skills would be shared. This may not be a good example but I feel amongst all the economics of housing, is the loss of community, most people I know up north in social housing would gladly move into a smaller place, apart from the fact there's not enough smaller homes, they do not want to move from there community as many are older and some never ventured far from there towns. I feel goverments offer no solution and have not created jobs.It is very off putting for the young even those with jobs that after paying there travel costs it would be impossible to move from there family home, when on minimum wage. I couldn't imagine it, I

SteveUK1978 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Clearly an emotive issue so not trying to make > light of it at all - but I suspect the ?16m > arrears has not arisen since April '13 when the > "bedroom tax" was introduced which was implied in > the first response to the OP. http://www.southwarkcarers.org.uk/news/50000-people-now-facing-eviction-bedroom-tax/ I think you'l find it has.

James, I take it you know the thread in family room, new school, is no longer a sticky, did you ask admin to reemove it as one. Do you no longer feel there is any need for it to be, regardless of the fact, from what you've said, it is only at the stage where sponsers are being approached.

http://content.met.police.uk/News/The-MPS-and-six-London-boroughs-combat-begging-and-rough-sleeping/1400022279369/1257246745756 If before implementing the bed room tax, thee offer of smaller places to move, and help with moving, i believe there would have been many people glad to move, especially now many people have to choose between warmth or food. And as for the ones who may endd up on the streets, Southark have teamed up with other boroughs and the met. No worries there then. http://www.dorseteye.com/north/articles/atos-kpmg-and-the-nhs-be-afraid-be-very-afraid as for atos, anyone who believes they are not responsible, I wonder if they'd be fine about them moving being involved with patient care data. What a disgrace.

James, I think it would be good to hear from someone on the steering commitee, was it discussed how local people be kept up to date, apart from consultation. If anyone from this group are reading thin, I would really appreciate an independent view. The whole sponser query, then james puts up "a useful meeting and we've agreed who to approach", Seriously after previous views regarding sponsors, and you needed asked to give out this decision.

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/01/28/UPDATE_1Production_snag_forces_worldwide_hold_on_GSK_chicken/ bit of a problem with this vaccine at the moment

http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/18/police-look-into-government-39-s-barnfield-college-reports.aspx james does this bemuse you, Barnfield college college claimed ?1m for pupils theres no record of. http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-01-09/kings-science-academy-bradford-fraud-arrest/ James do you know the outcome of the arrest of the head of Bradford free school (link) Of course I am taking it, your feeling of bemusement stems from a trust in this system which imo breeds greed, dishonesty and a lack of concern or acknowledgement for ordinary peoples views. http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2014/02/academy-chains-a-scandal-that-needs-to-be-ended/#thecomments

http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-green-partys-education-policy.html?m=1 Choices, honesty and fairness seems to have no place in this centrelised education system. James After your words about decisions of parents, steering committee and local consultation, it seems by your comment "most secondary providers use banding", what happened to everyone else involved in the decision. The green party seem the only ones who will stand against the privatisation of our schools. We have been put in a situation where choices are restricted, no room for change outside a system created to shut people out. I have no political agenda,and I'm sorry if this is the wrong thread to air these views, but restriccted or no choice does not correlate with a Free school. Edit to say linked blog because cant put up pdf on phone

I feel the admission policy is important, where banding is used, the goverments policy of "fair and transparency" should be followed throughout secondary years, avoiding situations like we've seen, where children are not being accounted for when reaching gcse's. If a banding system is set up, How hard is it to give out the figures of children leaving or moving to alternative provision, what band they were in when coming to the school. I realise this is about getting a school up and running, but wonder how muchh say the steering ggroup will have. James I would appreciate information on reply back from sponsers, as others have said, this iss a local issue.

The Sutton Trust report today on ballot and banding admissions. http://www.suttontrust.com/news/news/ballots-and-banding/

Are you going to say who is being approached James? Was this meeting only for the steering group or were all parents that gave support welcome, have they been informed the provider agreed on.

bawdy-nan I'm more confused than agitated. after having academies imposed upon us with consultations not listened to, threats and schools not giving any help regardless of being previously outstanding, it now appears, legally, albeit through privatisation, local council can be involved. I think all options available should be looked at, I realize for some people there is no need to distrust or become resigned to the fact it is an ideological dream, or it's not going to happen, when clearly it can although not as before. Shuggy I hope you are right in regards to transparency. I think it is important news when the first case of a council moving back to being involved with schools again, whether this was brought about independently from local council solicitors I assume local council are aware of this. I would assume this would have came up for discussions with the public, especially in regard to parents who will it seems have a say in the provider. My concerns are not particularly with this school, my worry is, although all secondary schools in Southwark are no longer run by local authorities, I do not look forward to primaries converting to academy status.

http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13000%3Asra-to-relax-restrictions-on-local-authority-lawyers-charging-charities&catid=51%3Amanagement-articles&Itemid=11 more recent. James can you please give your views on this issue and any views known by your colleagues. My worry here is changes in law are not being explained to parents, I realise there has been consultations on this procedure but cannot find any responses. I would appreciate your view.

http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16298%3Ahb-public-law-teams-up-with-bevan-brittan-to-form-first-local-authority-abs&catid=51&Itemid=11 james, can you tell me Southwark Councils views on local authoriy owned alternative business structures (abs) Hugh Peart, Director of Law and Governance at Harrow Council and Director of HBPL, told?Local Government Lawyer?that the establishment of an ABS was in response to the extensive outsourcing being undertaken by local authorities, whether as a way of meeting their budget targets or for political or other reasons. He pointed out that Harrow?s library services were now being run by John Laing Integrated Services, but the shared legal team cannot act for John Laing. http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16738%3Acounty-council-and-fire-authority-join-forces-to-set-up-abs&catid=1%3Alatest-stories&Itemid=31

http://markmelaney.wordpress.com/tag/dfe/ Thanks james, I'm surprised you don't believe I don't understand the proccess, link above shows I'm not the only one. This may have been discussed before, but I was interested what part in the application local goverment play.The fact the goverment refuse to hand over information, does not help parents understand especially when free schools will be at the expense of local families, Will the minutes of meetings be available to the public. James are you philisophicly opposed to free schools, I apoligise if this has already been covered but I believe many parents whos children attend free schools would prefer local in put, as link below shows. http://labourwestminster.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/westminster-parents-call-for-better-free-school-regulation/ If you cannot persuade the council can parents continue in the application regardles of council opposition, will you be attending the meeting with any suggestions to who the provider may be. I would like to understand just what part if any local council play on this application procces.

James, you said you would hope to persuade southwark council, persuade them another school is needed? is there a certain criteria needed before local council can submit an application? I have read a number of local councils have opposed free schools but decision was still madeto open free school. I am also finding it difficult to find any written replies to public consultation. Will the meetings,updates of each stage be in the public domain? I!m interesred in the procces of deciding on provider. Will you let us know james.

James As I am speaking about what is happening now it is this goverment I am refering to. I am fully aware of labours part in privatisation of our education. Can you tell me how many people emailed you wanting to be in the steering committee, I take it, all parents who are interested will be invited to first meeting, will this be a public meeting,and any idea when.

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/increasing-the-number-of-academies-and-free-schools-to-create-a-better-and-more-diverse-school-system james, although free schools are state funded, "they are academies by law and so are not under the control of their local authhority". This goverment has shown they will run education from whitehall, regardless of parents wanting local goverment involved.

James this article is about parents having a say who the "preferred bidder may be. It will be interesting to see how this is decided. Will all interested parents get copies of each bidders proposals. Or have you any suggestions to who the partner/s might be. Will the application be viewed and decided by Southwark council.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2009/feb/13/academy-camden-review A link about parents choice.