Education Swanage

The discussions with DCC about options for a secondary school are ongoing. DCC are very negative in their language and approach, and essentially they don't want to spend any money (if they have any to spend, which they say they do) but there are interesting developments and the more negative they become the more it seems to be in desperation to prevent a momentum building around the town which might make them do something visionary. A broad curriculum is an issue which we need further expert advice on, but the experts we have spoken to already tell us it's all doable with a little imagination and some timetabling software. Maybe I'm just being overly positive, but why be anything else?

Anyway, at last Education Swanage has a public face and (maybe foolishly) we welcome comments and questions. Most people on here seem to value their anonymity, so post questions etc here if you do, otherwise we can be contacted through our website at http://www.educationswanage.co.uk


Lots of info on there to digest, and as we gather it in we'll be publishing more.



Posted by Paul Angel to swanageview at 9:26 PM

Council secrets and meeting minutes.

With reference to “Council Member has breached the embargo on all official communications about the sale of the Park, imposed by the Town Council and Clerk.” in the Swanage bay view topic. In many of the council meeting minutes entire sections are not added due to “confidential” discussions.Why do the council need to keep secrets from the rest of the town and all the people who pay their wages?Are there a lot of underhand or illegal dealings going on which involve the council or town clerk like signing things they shouldn’t or backhanders going on, or are they worried that if we all knew how they “manage” the town they would all be kicked out and replaced?

Posted by Swanage Resident to swanageview at 5:53 PM

The Purbeck Society

What is The Purbeck Society? How do you join, what does it do, how many members does it have?



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 11:28 AM

eureka

Good to see the old Huon Pine Bakery finally has a new occupant....good luck to them....

EU Referendum?

Interesting song.

Perhaps we euro sceptics here are not alone.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_Pv7McXVg



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 3:53 PM

Planning Purbeck’s Future

Planning Purbeck’s Future, the latest stage of the Core Strategy is being published for public consultation. This document includes policies for protection of the environment and sets out where new development, including housing, retail and employment, will be located over the next 20 years. It also includes policies to manage development. The consultation period will commence on Monday, 7 September 2009 and will run for a period of eight weeks closing on Friday, 30 October 2009. In addition to the main report, a leaflet and questionnaire will be delivered to every home or business during September.

All documents are available electronically on the Council’s website. There is also a web forum to encourage debate on the proposals. Paper copies are available in the District Council Offices and local Libraries.You can also respond using the response form that can be downloaded off the Council’s website.

Swanage Bay View Holiday Park (Sale)

Swanage Town Council has announced the sale of its 300 unit luxury caravan park and holiday complex to the Darwin Leisure Property Fund for a capital receipt of £7.25m. The deal includes revenue income of an annual ground rent of £30,000 for the life of the 105 year lease term.

Town Mayor, Mike Pratt says “This disposal means that we can take a positive stance in now addressing the town’s need for the benefit of current and future generations” before going on to say “the Town Council’s small administration team have been placed under incredible pressure over the past few years initially caused by the challenge by the Audit Commission who believe the Council does not have the legal powers to derive a direct income from caravan sales which is an integral part of owning a caravan park.”

On behalf of Darwin Victoria Brannen CIO, commented that “Darwin look forward to expanding their existing holiday park portfolio with the purchase of Swanage Bay View and implementing their business strategy, which will continue to operate and develop the park as a desirable holiday home location on the Dorset coast, whilst improving facilities that benefit not just the park owners but also members of the local community and support the town’s economy”.

Alan Leeson, Town Clerk and Financial Officer explains “by eliminating caravan sales from the Council’s activities we shall now be able to forecast future income with greater certainty. In order to keep the council tax precept to a minimum, the Council will now be considering its investment strategy in order to ensure that alternative sources of income are maximised”.

Both parties are now moving towards completion and handover on 15th October 2009.

(Swanage Town Council, Press Release, 4 September 2009)

Drug News.

I just wondered why neither the local advertiser or the local gazzete picked up on the recent story of a Swanage drug dealer going to prison. Was this due to them not wanting people to think Swanage has a drug scene? or was it for some other strange reason.



Posted by Anonymous to swanageview at 10:28 AM

Which beach?

This?
and this?

















Chesil Cove

NEW TOPIC

If you want to raise a new topic, post your comment in this section — just click first on Comments below, then type in post a comment (top right of the next window). Can you choose a title for your post, please? Sometimes it's hard to work out what a comment is about and what the subject is. A new heading will soon be set up, allowing others to see and add their own comments. It seems it's sometimes easier to click on 'Post anonymously' than to open an account in your name - you can always add your name to your message. We try to keep posts civilized. And any posts that become too provocative, insulting, threatening or otherwise unpleasant will be deleted.

Where am I?

Clue: View from public footpath

And another clue.