Which stakeholders took part in the wide ranging consultation in regards to st.thomas'/scoill vallajeelt

Summary

The requester asked which stakeholders participated in consultations regarding the St Thomas' school move and whether a planned visit to a faith school occurred. The Department of Education confirmed that only parents met with senior officials, no other stakeholder consultation has taken place, and the proposed faith school visit did not happen.

Key Facts

• No consultation has taken place with stakeholders other than meetings between parents and the Department's Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education.
• The Department intends to hold an open evening with residents in the Autumn term.
• A public notice regarding the proposals will be issued to allow for comments.
• An Order will be laid before Tynwald after considering feedback from the public notice.
• The proposed visit to a faith school by the Minister and political member did not take place.

Data Disclosed

• 1/3/17
• 2016-2021
• April/May 2017
• 11th August 2017
• IM96933I
• IM91608I
• IM93918I

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

11th August 2017

Re: Freedom of Information Request – Reference Number IM96933I

Your Request:-

1) Minutes dated 1/3/17 included in the FOI No. IM91608I state "a wide-raging consultation will be needed with all stakeholders" with regards to the move of St Thomas' school to the Scoill Vallajeelt site. As per the DEC Service Delivery Plan 2016-2021, the departments key stakeholders include:- Learners, Parents & Carers, Employees, Other Government Bodies, The Private Sector, The Third Sector, The Isle of Man Community. Can you please confirm which stakeholders took part in the wide-raging consultation and when this took place.

2) The same minutes state a visit to a faith school should be made by the Minister and political member in April/May 2017. Did this trip take place? Who was sent on the trip? Which faith Schools were visited? How much did the trip cost? Please breakdown the costs to show separately flights, accommodation, meals, and taxi's.

Department Response:-

In response to your Freedom of Information request I can advise as follows:-

1) As previously advised by the Department in its published response to FoI requests IM93918I and IM91608I, other than meetings held between parents of the schools and the Department’s Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education no consultation has taken place with other stakeholders to date. However by way of advice and assistance, I can inform you that the Department does intend to hold an open evening with residents which is planned for the Autumn term (date to be confirmed).

The Department also intends to issue a public notice about the proposals and to give people the opportunity to comment upon them. The Department will, after taking into account the feedback from the public notice, lay an Order before Tynwald.

2) I can advise that the proposed visit to a faith school did not take place.

The information provided within this response letter will also be published on the Government website in due course should you wish to revisit the information.

Department of Education and Children

Rheynn Ynsee as Paitchyn

Chief Executive Officer Ronald Barr

Corporate Services Division Department of Education and Children Hamilton House Peel Road Douglas IM1 5EZ

If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a Review/Complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to:

Mr Andrew Shipley, Legal and Administration Manager, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 5EZ.

An electronic version of our Review/Complaint form can be found by going to https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/

Your Review/Complaint request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been conducted.

Appeal Process

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1

Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2

Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.

More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at https://www.inforights.im/contact-us/

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi