Leybourne School Fence Gets Go Ahead
July 22, 2004 2:54 PM
"Don't delay this school fence any longer", Trudy Dean told members of KCC's Planning Committee on Tuesday, 20 July. Speaking in support of a new fence for Leybourne Church of England Primary School, she pointed out that the Governors had tried to reach agreement with objectors for over a year without success. Parents and Government Inspectors had raised concerns about pupil security on the large open school site.
Trudy is the County Councillor for only a small part of Leybourne, but felt she should speak up in support of parents, teachers and Governors. The school's plans are opposed by Leybourne Parish Council in what has been at times an acrimonious campaign. Most of the members of the Parish Council want a rustic chestnut spile fence instead. Conservative Member Sarah Hohler, who represents the vast majority of Leybourne, told Members of the Planning Committee they had a "difficult decision" to make.
Trudy disagreed. "The school has already agreed to pay an extra £10,000 for a new design of 1.8m high green painted steel bar fence. This type of fence has already been granted permission in several local schools in equally sensitive places, and we must be fair to all applicants. Vandals would cut through chestnut spile fence like butter. "
She also reminded Committee Members that the school already had alarms, security lighting and soon would have digital door keypads, as well as trialling unsuccessfully a CCTV system. Trudy is campaigning for schools to ensure that security fencing does not cut off playing fields from the community. She had received assurances from the Headteacher that full community access would still be permitted.