The Editor

Dursley Gazette

18 December 2009

Madam

There appears to be some confusion about who wants to close Vale of Berkeley College and when the process was started.

It is not correct to assert that the Local Authority asked “Graham Badman to write a report” (David Drew in recent edition of Labour and Co-operative News). It was, in fact, Ed Balls, Schools Secretary and Cabinet Member, who appointed Graham Badman to make recommendations.

Furthermore, this appointment followed a period of a year while Ed Balls’s department discussed “National Challenge” schools - including Vale of Berkeley College – with the Local Authority.

It is also noteworthy that Ed Balls is driving the pace of decision making. In a recent statement, he asserted that there was an urgent need to “get on and do it” and he has, so far, rejected any request to extend the consultation process.

All of this is in contrast with the local efforts for find a solution for the school which reflects the need to support the community and provide much better opportunities for pupils.

The future of Vale of Berkeley College is too important to become a political football.  We all need to work together to find a solution for children at this school and the community it serves.

Yours faithfully

Neil Carmichael

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Stroud