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Councillor slams Hollingworth BSF as a “disgrace”
Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 20 October 2011
A Milnrow Councillor has described the Building Schools for the Future Programme at Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College as a “disgrace.”
Councillor Irene Davidson slammed a lack of information and communication from the scheme.
The concerns were raised during a presentation about the all BSF projects in the borough. When it came to questions, Councillor Irene Davidson said: “I am ashamed I had anything to do with the decision to have the school redesigned.”
The school redesign began last year and opened to students in September.
Councillor Davidson continued: “There is a lack of information from BSF. On this school there is no information, just information that is leaking.
“The education is fantastic but BSF need to investigate the persons building the school.”
Councillor Davidson said there used to be newsletters and updates but the information and communication “suddenly stopped.”
Councillor Davidson reiterated that her concerns were not related to teaching or pupils but to do with “what is going on on the site.”
After the meeting Councillor Davidson told Rochdale Online that when she saw a photo of the College in the presentation she was “so annoyed” because “it looks nothing like that.”
Rochdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Donna Martin, said: “We will investigate and there will be a report.”
She added that it was a “good job” that the issue had been raised.
Inspired Spaces general manager Claire Butler, said: “I hadn’t been aware of the issue before the Councillor raised it but now it has been raised I will look into it.”
Referring to the photograph in the presentation, which was an artist’s impression, Ms Butler said: “To my mind it doesn’t look that different.”
Ms Butler said other positive responses had been received regarding the site and that a report will be carried out following Councillor Davidson’s concerns.
Comments
Oh yes, one more thing. I have seen the artists drawings for your new council residence at 55 Smith Street. If the building, when it is completed, does not look exactly like the drawing I too want a report doing. Why not just leave it be, and let them do their job in the building, that of teaching etc. It's a place to fulfil a function, not to look picture perfect.
It's a case of legality if the submitted plans and drawings are different to the finished building! Changes to the outside of the building may be cosmetic but what other changes have been made, and how safe are these changes? Changing electrical specs or materials used could cause a severe accident in the future. The council are doing right in investigating the build, and the builders in this case. It's better to report on it now rather than hold an inquest after injury to pupils or staff!
Well to be honest I'm sure all relevant building inspectors, HSE people, etc would have signed off the buidling prior to opening! Let's keep it to the story and the issues. Cllr Davidson has said the whole crux of her 'issue' with the building is the lack of communication(?) and it looks different to the shiny artists impression.
Of course Squiggler if you are concerned about the materials, etc used in the building, then I'm sure you have already raised your concerns with RMBC.
And also Squiggler, it is fair to say Cllr Davidson does seem to have a pre-occupation with how buildings look. Her comments on a hotel chain were of such content it had serious implications on future employment in Newhey/Milnrow. Looking at said schools website, the last update was June 2011, and school opened in September, so a few months were not reported! She could have just knocked on the door of the contractors and asked for an update.
Oh dear, not in charge any more are we Irene? The building looks exactly like the pictures provided at the planning stage, and I suspect that the newsletters have stopped because the building is finished. Once again an elected member would rather spread unsubstantiated rumours than celebrate Rochdale’s success in keeping our BSF money when many other councils have lost theirs. How much money will now be wasted on an in-depth report?
Have Your Say
So Cllr Davidson doesn't like the building. So a report is to be carried out costing money which our Council hasnt got according to the cuts going on. Report gets published. What then? What happens next? What do you hope to achieve with this? I'm sorry Cllr Davidson you seem to have issues with buildings and chimneys in Milnrow & Newhey- too corporate and all that. Considering all the issues in Newhey and Milnrow that need sorting you want reports done? Time to priortise real issues.
By Chill @ 20/10/2011 15:00:31