Site visit changes - no Boundary Road, now visiting Mafeking Hall

Last week we reported that the DC (East) planning committee would be visiting 20 Boundary Road and Beech Hill Farm tomorrow, Friday 28th August.

The visit to 20 Boundary Road has now been postponed until the next round of site visits on 25th September, with the decision likely to be made at the committee meeting on 8th October. Instead the committee will be visiting Mafeking Hall, to look at the Prior Notification Application for a change of use to allow Coalpit Heath Pre-School to open there.

Latest news on the Manor Hall and Coalpit Heath Pre-School

There was a lengthy debate at the Manor Hall SGM on Monday evening about the issues surrounding Coalpit Heath Pre-School being given notice. This ended with the Parishioners present voting on whether the notice should be withdrawn, although the Trustees said that under their constitution they would not be bound by the outcome. In the event the Parishioners voted 54 votes to 36 against withdrawing the notice.

Pat Hill said that she wishes to stand down as Chair of the Trustees at the AGM, which is due to be held on 11th August. Notices will be posted at least 14 days before. She invited new people to come forward to apply to be trustees by 1st July - more information is available here.

It was announced that a new pre-school provider had already agreed to move into the Manor Hall as early as possible in the new school year. The new provider will be circulating information shortly.

Coalpit Heath Pre-School has announced they will be moving to Mafeking Hall off Serridge Lane from September. They will have sole use of the building during the day, which will enable them to offer an increased service for 2-5 year olds, with a breakfast club, longer opening hours and a large outdoor forest school play area. They are putting in place assisted travel arrangements. For more information phone 07715 531066 or 07979 475757 or email Charnicholls12@hotmail.co.uk

Further statement re Coalpit Heath Pre-School and the Manor Hall

In May, we published a joint statement from parent Wendy Silcock on behalf of Coalpit Heath Pre-School and the Trustees of the Manor Hall. Ahead of Monday's SGM meeting (details here), a further joint statement has been released:

Thank you to all the Parishioners and Hall users who were able to adhere to my request for restraint and patience whilst the diplomatic wheels turned to de-escalate the breakdown in the working relationship between the Pre-school and the Trustees of Manor Hall.

Thank you to the Pre-school staff through what has been a very emotional time personally for them after the death of one of the long serving, popular members of staff following a distressing illness. Despite this sadness, they have worked with me to amend and improve a number of routine practices to co-exist more amicably with other hall users for the remaining term of their contract. Thank you also to Jean Butler who has permitted me to intercede where necessary and communicate with the Trustees.

I can report that a number of simple measures have been put in place. It is not necessary for me to list these here but suffice to say, all changes on both sides have been implemented with input and consent by all concerned. On a day to day basis things are running much more smoothly now. The Hall Manager has been accommodating of my constant asking of questions and has contributed positively to finding solutions. This process has highlighted several areas which are already being addressed in order to ‘future proof’ the use of Manor Hall for all users.

What I hope will happen now is the discussion at the s.g.m. will be able to concentrate on the factual instead of the emotional in order that a mature discussion can ensue. In many ways, all that has passed is just that – the past and has been aired many times before. How can we all make things better now? Part of the answer will be respect, communication and transparency.

Aude Sapere – Dare to be wise.

Wendy Silcock
For and on behalf of Coalpit Heath Pre-school and the Trustees of Manor Hall

Statement regarding the Manor Hall and Coalpit Heath Pre-School

Wendy Silcock, a parent of a child at Coalpit Heath Pre-School, has made a proposal which is currently being considered by the trustees and the owner of the Pre-School. She has made the following statement on behalf of both parties, which we agreed to help publicise:

“To Parents of Pre-school children and fellow Parishioners

I don’t have to remind you that a lot has happened over the last few months which has led to a break down in the working relationship between the Coalpit Heath Pre-school and the Management of Manor Hall.  At the heart of this maelstrom stand a group of children who just need relaxed, happy Pre-school provision.  I am looking for your support in my endeavours to frame a more acceptable situation to be in place for them in September. 

As a priority I wish to support the smooth transition between Pre-school and ‘big school’ for this year’s leavers.  It is the least the children deserve and our responsibility as adults is to ensure this.  Secondary to this I am seeking to facilitate a less stressful environment for the remaining children at the Pre-school.

I am releasing this statement with the full consent of both Pre-school and Trustees with whom negotiations are in progress.  These negotiations are private, not secret and joint statements will be released at the appropriate times.

With your forbearance I hope you will allow me to pursue this objective unfettered by negative emotions and comment.  In return I promise to be transparent regarding the results of any progress made.  I realise this is asking for a lot of trust from all concerned but can assure you that my motivation is to act on behalf of the children of our community.

I respectfully request that if you wish to make comment about this that you do so directly to me via Manor Hall or Pre-school as I will not be responding to any fb posts at this time. 

Wendy Silcock

On behalf of Coalpit Heath Pre-school and Trustees of Manor Hall”

Pre-School update

Claire Young was saddened to learn that Coalpit Heath Pre-School has been given notice to leave the Manor Hall at the end of the academic year as the two parties have not been able to resolve their differences.

As a parent, Claire knows that this will be a very worrying time for the parents involved. She has spoken to both the owner of the Pre-School and the Chair of the Trustees and has offered, as she has done previously, to facilitate a meeting between them. Obviously she has no control over either organisation, but she is more than happy to do what she can to help find a way forward for the benefit of the children. When we have any more news, we will pass it on.

Further update on Coalpit Heath pre-school and the Manor Hall

Claire Young writes:

When I was contacted about the initial dispute over the contract, I wrote to both parties offering my assistance to bring it to an amicable conclusion. I later made it clear that I would attend any meetings that would help to resolve the problem. When the two parties agreed to go to mediation, I said that everyone should give them the time and the space to complete the process.

Unfortunately the mediation process broke down but despite this eventually the contract was signed. Local residents had been asking me for information on what was happening and when I was told that the contract had been signed I posted that, along with links to a statement from the trustees and to the contact details of both parties.

I was then asked by a third party if I would link to a statement from the owner of Coalpit Heath Pre-School. I said I was happy to link to a statement clarifying what’s going on with the pre-school opening hours etc as I was keen to keep residents informed and suggested that the owner contact me directly to discuss. When I received the statement however, without any further discussion, I was concerned that it quoted private emails, talked about the concerns of a third party and included serious accusations against identifiable individuals. Having taken legal advice, I declined to link to this statement. As I have consistently said, I hope that anyone that has such serious concerns will report them to the appropriate authorities, so they can be fully and properly investigated, rather than making public accusations. If people have complaints about the trustees or their employee, they should first be directed to the trust's official complaints procedure, and if a satisfactory conclusion is not reached, then raised with the Charities Commission.

I remain happy to link to a statement from the pre-school on factual matters. I can make myself available to discuss this with people further if they wish.

Update on Coalpit Heath Pre-School

The Manor Hall trustees have released a statement in which they say that Coalpit Heath Pre-School has signed a contract to allow it to continue running in the Manor Hall. 

Contact details for the Manor Hall are available on their website and for Coalpit Heath Pre-School on the 1 Big Database.

Mediation process for Manor Hall and Coalpit Heath Pre-School

Following recent concerns in the community about the future of Coalpit Heath Pre-School, we are pleased to report that the Pre-School and the Manor Hall Management Committee have committed to an independent mediation process, sharing the costs between them. We hope that they will now be given the time and the space to complete this process, not only to help with the immediate issues but also to build a better relationship for the future. In the meantime, we have been assured again that the Pre-School has not been given notice.

Out and about finding out your views

Thank you to everyone who returned our survey in Coalpit Heath, Mayshill and Park Lane, Kendleshire. Steve Webb and Claire Young really appreciate you taking the time to let them know your views.

It was no surprise that protecting the local countryside, in particular Woodlands Farm, was a high priority. Also that both the volume and speed of traffic on our roads is a worry.

One concern raised by a number of people was the future of Coalpit Heath Pre-School. As a parent, Claire appreciates the importance of good childcare. We are very lucky in Coalpit Heath to have both an outstanding-rated pre-school and a community facility like the Manor Hall and as the local councillor she has offered her help to both sides in finding a resolution. Those involved need to be able to sit down and talk together, with appropriate mediators, to find a solution, as happened when a similar sort of issue arose at Crossbow. Claire has been talking to organisations that might be able to help.