Merger of Stanford Infants and Stanford Junior Schools by Cllr Jacob Taylor. Both schools have a proud and vibrant history as separate but closely linked. A close friend of his still has his infant school t-shirt which he passed on to his son #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove There are fewer children in the city and nationally, and funding is based on a per pupil basis says Cllr Taylor The two schools ahve a combined deficit of £466K. The schools can maintain and improve their education quality. The 2 governing bodies have proposed this action #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove The support for the proposal was fairly evenly split with more against the proposals says Cllr Taylor. The governors believe this is the best long-term solution. The council supports the governing bodies with this proposal and an exciting new phase of these two schools as Stanford Primary School Green councillor Kerry Pickett is aware of falling numbers and deficit challenges and problematic decisions have to be made. This is not a reflection on the quality of education, but it is more a financial saving. There are concerns about the loss of specialist provision at the infant school Many parents feel unheard, they had hoped to pay a greater part in the process says Cllr Pickett. there are questions unanswered. Are consultations useful. They may be a requirement but if the council wishes for input the process seems predecided #LDreporter #Brighton #Hove Conservative Anne Meadows says the merger is a good thing with no change of school at 8. It makes sense for the parents to have continuity. We are all in favour #Brighton & #Hove Independent Mark Earthey is also in favour #LDreporter Cllr Taylor thanks Cllr Pickett for supporting residents. He says consultations are tricky. A governing body has to put a way forward in the best interest of their community. As has the council. Ultimately the decision makers are the governors and council for a reasonable way forward #LDreporter