Public Sector Focus

18.05.20

Bury council opposes plans to re-open schools in June

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Schools and Families at Bury Council Cllr Tamoor Tariq has addressed the headteachers in the area with his position regarding Central Government’s arrangements for re-opening schools.

The letter starts by thanking staff members at Bury council for their ‘unswerving professionalism and dedication’ throughout the crisis before outlining approval from Bury Council’s cabinet not to support the new guidance.

The latest government guidance stated plans to re-open schools to more pupils from June 1st 2020, but Cllr Tariq says there is ‘an unacceptable risk to our pupils, our staff and to the communities of vulnerable people in Bury’ following conversations with the DCS, Karen Dolton, and the Interim Director of Education and Inclusion, Julien Kramer.

Other concerns mentioned included Covid-19 testing, PPE availability, limitations of the proposed track and trace and concerns regarding the ‘inconsistent level of central government support for our recovery.’

He said:

“As the lead Member for Children's Services Schools and Families, I feel the heavy responsibility of protecting our education communities; and the wider community. I therefore have approval from Bury Council’s Cabinet to not open schools to a wider intake of pupils from 1st June.

“I further intend, to lobby our case for a delayed, and more planned restart, with central government through the Secretary of State for Education. We will commit to regularly review this decision if there is clear evidence to suggest any changes around Covid-19 infection rates or if the government brings forward different direction or guidance than it has done currently affecting education.”

He went on to praise the education staff in Bury and thanked them for their brave work before supporting his decision with public feedback:

“I know some of our schools have directly consulted with parents to ask if they intend to send their children into school in line with the governments timescales, and overwhelmingly the response has been NO.”

READ MORE: Council leaders call for £5bn income guarantee backed by Treasury

READ MORE:Welsh Gov £5m funding for mental health in schools now for under 11s

It comes after Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted last week saying:

“Education is vital, however it does not come before the health & safety of our children & staff. We have responsibility for Safeguarding our children and so I will resist allowing schools to reopen in June. To do so risks our children’s and staff safety.”

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

latest public sector news

Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower e... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. ... more >
Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

19/08/2020Colleges set to receive £200m in Funding

Over 180 colleges are set to receive a share of £200m, in order to repair and refurbish buildings and campuses. The funding makes up p... more >

editor's comment

25/10/2017Take a moment to celebrate

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture. There could not be a feature that more perfectly encapsulates this... read more >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been th... more > more last word articles >

the raven's daily blog

Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

23/06/2020Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

Evolution is crucial in any business and Public Sector Executive is no different. Long before Covid-19 even became a thought in the back of our minds, the team at PSE were looking at innovative ways to deliver its content to our audience in a more dynamic and responsive manner. We’re conscious to take the time to both prot... more >
read more blog posts from 'the raven' >

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues that community-led initiatives are a productive way of helping to solve... more >
Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

19/06/2019Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

Aberdeen City Council’s hydrogen spokesperson, councillor Philip Bell, highlights the Granite City’s determination to play a leading ... more >
A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

13/06/2019A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

A fifth of the country’s public sector workers say they have NEVER received a ‘thank you’ for doing their job as Public Service... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need to invest in technology to help make better use of their resources. Bu... more >
Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

17/12/2018Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

One of the public sector’s key technology partners has recently welcomed a new member to its team. Matt Spencer, O2’s head of public ... more >
New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

05/11/2018New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

The new chief executive of one of the new unitary authorities in Dorset has outlined his approach to culture and work with employees, arguing tha... more >
Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

15/10/2018Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

On 6 September, the biggest decision-makers of the north joined forces to celebrate and debate how to drive innovation and improvement through th... more >