Chief Executive Blog - October 2014
Colleagues,
Since last month’s blog the sustainable education review has entered a new phase with the publication of the consultants’ final report which will be debated at a special meeting of the full council in early November.
The review is a hugely important piece of work which is designed to shape educational provision in Moray for many years to come. Not surprisingly it has generated, and will continue to generate, massive public interest. Education is an emotive subject, particularly in communities where the local school is a part of everyday life for many families.
It is worth bearing in mind that although the report has been compiled by consultants, it reflects the feedback that has been obtained from head teachers, teaching and non-teaching staff, education officers, pupils, parents, community groups and many others in the weeks and months leading up to its preparation. The conclusions and recommendations are based not on how the consultants think education provision in Moray should look like in the future, they are based on what they have heard from a wide range of people, all of whom have a stake in this vitally important issue.
The review timetable will ensure that whatever decisions are taken, they will not be rushed and will be the subject of further full and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders who will have ample opportunity to engage in a process that will ultimately provide Moray with a school estate in tune with 21st century requirements and which in turn will bring educational benefits to those who matter most, our school pupils.
Improving educational attainment is and will continue to be a priority for the council, as will economic development and many of you will be aware that the past few days have seen Moray’s bid to become home to a British spaceport submitted to the UK Government.
Although the Moray Economic Partnership has been taking the lead on this, the council has given the bid its full backing. Having the spaceport located here in Moray – at either Kinloss or Lossiemouth – would be an inestimable economic boost to the area. I believe the bid that has been put together is a strong one and we must all keep our fingers crossed. By the same token, there will no doubt be equally compelling submission from the other areas which have been shortlisted and we must not count our chickens.
Whether or not the bid succeeds, it is an illustration of Moray’s ambition to diversify its economy and that it has the confidence to literally reach for the sky when an opportunity like this comes along.
Meanwhile, I am eagerly looking forward to the two upcoming employee conferences at Keith and Forres and the opportunity to meet those members of staff that I have not already met and to renewing my acquaintance with those I already know.
I am especially glad that Keith is one of the conference venues since I had to call off a planned visit to the local depot there on Tuesday of this week because staff were otherwise occupied dealing with the appalling weather conditions and the threat of flooding. I hope to reschedule my visit in the near future.
In the meantime I am planning a trip to Forres this weekend, but not on council business. A visit to Mosset Park is on my bucket list and the Scottish Cup local derby replay between the Mechanics and Elgin City, following last week’s goalless draw at Boroughbriggs, provides the perfect opportunity.