Mill Hill News - Etz Chaim School tank traps removed

The Barnet Eye is pleased to report that the unsightly concrete block tank traps, which had been put in front of the former Wyevale Garden Centre, have been removed. Shortly after this blog posted pictures of the tank traps, a school representative got in touch to say that they agreed that the traps were unsightly and were having them removed ASAP. I stated at the time that I'd keep you informed of progress. This happened some time last week. Interestingly I've recently been told by friends of the Action group that they are "supremely confident" that the Daws Lane site will not now be used as a School and will be reverting to a Garden Centre with a community function. I've also been told by a friend of the School that they are confident they will be able to open next September.

There have been plenty of comments on various news stories from sympathisers of the School recently, saying various disparaging things about the Mill Hill Action Group fighting the school. I really don't think some of these comments have helped and have hardened the determination of the Action group to carry on the battle.

I was emailed with a list of innacurracies in these comments.

1. The Garden Centre was "just a shop". The Action Group correctly state that there was a Cafe on site  and this was the focus of community activities, although it was a commercial venture.

2. It was inevitable that the Garden Centre would close down and the site be used for other activities. This claim cannot be supported. It may have changed hands at some point, but there is no hard evidence to support the claim that it was not trading profitably.

3. The Action Group have mislead people, because they were campaigning "for the Garden Centre" not against the school. The campaign state that their goal is to get a Garden Centre reinstated on the site, with a community Cafe. They never claimed the Garden Centre had to be operated by any particular chain.

4. The current legal challenge is based on the fact that Barnet Council did not follow due legal process and is directed at Barnet Council. It is incorrect to state that it is a challenge to the School itself.

This blog takes a broadly neutral standpoint on this issue. The above points have been published at the request of a member of the action group, in response to comments left in the press. The School are welcome to respond to these points.

ETZ CHAIM latest - Legal action issued against Barnet Council for ignoring elderly and disabled in drive to establish Free School

Press release from Mill Hill Action Group
-----------------------------------------

Today, Monday 17^th October, judicial review papers were issued against the London Borough of Barnet claiming that they ignored the elderly and disabled in order to grant planning permission to a Free School.  

The legal action alleges that when Barnet Council granted planning permission to permit a Free School to build in Mill Hill on Daws Lane, they ignored the essential use of the site by over 1,000 elderly and disabled individuals and groups. The Site had previously been a popular Garden Centre (and formerly a free farm and swimming pool) that specifically catered to disabled charities and Barnet Council’s own Adult Social Services Department.

Believed to be the first landmark legal action under the Equalities Act 2010, Daniel Coleman, a local Jewish disabled resident, intends to demonstrate that despite Government Ministers promoting the Free School policy, Councils can’t grant planning at any cost. Daniel’s barrister, Juan Lopez of FTB Chambers, has already received a concession by Barnet Council that they failed to consider the Equalities Act 2010 and they ignored the views of the elderly and disabled.

Daniel stated, “In the drive to push Free Schools, Barnet Council swept aside all other considerations and ignored the desperate pleas of thousands of local elderly and disabled. As one individual said to me, “Why is it that when I became old, I became invisible?” Legislation prevents the Council from ignoring their needs and I intend to win this site back for the community to whom it is such a vital lifeline.”

Etz Chaim School update - "School not responsible for anti tank barriers"

I have been contacted by a representative of the school who wished to make clear that the school is not responsible for the ugly concrete roadblocks outside the garden centre building.  They explained that site security is currently subconracted to Partnership for Schools, who placed the obstructions there. They state that the governors of Etz Chaim did not know they were being placed there and agree they "look ridiculous".

I have suggested that removing the barriers ASAP would be the only acceptable solution for many people in Mill Hill. It is clear from conversations yesterday and today that this is a big issue for local people and the school most definately need to resolve it ASAP. If the school eventually needs such security measures, they really must get a good designer in to make them as unobtrusive as possible (should the school eventually end up on the site). If nothing else it is terrible PR and people have said to me that "it confirmed their worst fears about the appearance of the site".

I fully accept that in the world we live in a Jewish school will feel the need to take measures above and beyond those many other schools feel appropriate. I believe the main credible risk is casual, racists and anti semitic vandalism, committed by dim idiots. I believe it is a challenge for the school and they have to rise to it, making all such measures as unobtrusive as possible. I happen to believe that making the school as unobtrusive as possible would be a good way to deter this sort of casual vandalism. If the school feels that they are at threat from more serious terror threats, then the only sensible security is a clear, defendable perimiter which is a distance from any public roads or rights of way, with a "sterile zone" of a couple of hundred metres. Clearly if this is the level of security they need, then the location is wrong. The people who have told me that Etz Chaim needs the barriers because it is a terrorist target, clearly haven't thought it through, because this undermines the argument for the Garden Centre location completely.

Mill Hill Latest - Etz Chaim School fails it's first test

The governors of Etz Chaim school have said that they want to be accepted as a welcome edition to the Mill Hill community. It appears that they've failed their first test. I received  a call last night from an affronted local resident who said "Have you seen what they have done"

A row of the ugliest concrete anti tank barriers I've ever seen has been "dumped" in front of the site of the ex garden centre.  The Action Group press release stated that they would refrain from issuing the court papers for their legal challenge, until after the Jewish holiday season. In response the school have planted these. I fully understand the need to have security, but there is no reason that such features can't be landscaped. Such features could be disguised as flower displays etc. As it is, we have a complete eyesore.

Given that there are no children on site and no building work in progress, this appears to be two fingers up to the local community and doesn't bode well for the future. As the blocks have been hired, it seems to me a rather expensive gesture. I urge the school to remove the eyesore blocks ASAP and replace them with something more suitable. Surely wood barrels, filled with concrete and flower beds on the top would be far more visually pleasing and just as effective, if there is a genuine need for such tank traps.

I am disappointed that the school don't seem to realise that uglification of Mill Hill will win them no friends at all

Etz Chaim Latest - Email from Action group

The following email was sent to all supporters of the Mill Hill Action Group who are opposed to the opening of a school at the site of Wyevale Garden centre  - No comment available from the school.
--------------------------
From: Garden Centre


Date: 3 October 2011 10:28:23 GMT+01:00

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: Press Release

Dear Supporters,

We apologise that you have not heard from us for a while, but we can assure you that we have been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the judicial review and claim against Barnet Council’s decision has the best opportunity of success. We do not want to fill your inbox’s with information until we have something significant to say…hence this email now!

The pre-action letter we sent to Barnet Council setting out our claim and alleging that they ignored the views of the elderly and disabled in deciding to grant planning permission to the school is attached to this email.

Barnet Council has now responded and they have accepted WE ARE RIGHT. They have agreed in writing that they failed to properly consider the views of the elderly and disabled in the decision to grant planning permission. They agree that they breached the Equalities Act 2010.

We win! The planning permission for the school will be quashed and the school will have no planning permission to do any work on the site and to build a school.

May we remind you of the process however: After the Jewish holidays (to be fair) we will issue the Judicial Review and Barnet Council will formally concede and the planning permission will be quashed.

The council may still decide to re-hear the planning application by the school. We argue that they need to undertake a new consultation and positively seek the views of the elderly, disabled and the community generally. However, they may attempt to sneak the hearing in quickly and rush it through.

If so, we’ll fight it again. The views of the elderly and disabled must be properly counted, assessed and we say, prioritised according to the Equalities Act 2010. The Council can’t get away from the fact that Free Schools, although encouraged by MP’s, have no statutory force that prioritises them. The Equalities Act 2010 ensures that the views of the elderly and disabled have that force and the courts have insisted that their views must be prioritised. If necessary, having won once, we can go back to the court and again take a judicial review if the Council insist on breaking the law.

This is why your donations have been so invaluable and we thank every person who has managed in these difficult times to find some money to help the community fight for their community (and a fight based on right and not riots!). Unfortunately, the Council and the school have forced us to take legal action as they refuse simply to listen and move to another site and we have no option but to ask you to keep those donations coming. They will be returned if possible (we’ll get some of our costs back for this application), but they provide us with the only method currently of forcing our voices to be heard, as it seems that without court action no one listens anymore to the majority in the community.

We attach a press release that we intend to issue. If you know of any reporters or journalists or have any contacts please help us by sending this to them. We think it’s a good story and the public have a right to know the truth.

Congratulations to us all.
Zoe
on behalf of Daniel’s friends and supporters

Etz Chaim Latest - Open letter from the governors to the Mill Hill Action Group

Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School,

 

Dear Mr Coleman and the Mill Hill Action Group,

On the 5^th September 2011, we received a copy of your letter indicating your intention to start judicial review proceedings against the London Borough of Barnet. The decision you wish to review is their consideration of our planning application in light of the Equalities Act 2010 and in particular your concerns regarding the elderly and disabled in the community. We confirm that the School is an interested party but not formerly a party to litigation.

The timeframe and the manner in which the London Borough of Barnet respond to your letter is a matter for them.

As a direct result of your letter the Trustees have been reluctantly forced to retain legal representation and this letter should not be considered as a formal response to the contents of your letter.

This open letter in sent in good faith to be a constructive bridge building exercise. Throughout all of your literature and discussions with us you have repeated that you recognise the need for extra school places in the Mill Hill and support the School just not the location as set out in your slogan ‘Yes to Education, No to Location.’

The Garden Centre and the Aquatic Centre have now closed. Wyevale Garden Centre took the commercial decision to sell the site to us. We have been aware as to how unpopular, Wyevale’s decision to close and sell the site has been for many local residents.

As from 3^rd October 2011 the School Trust will be moving onto the site in preparation for developing it in readiness for September 2012. The School will not (and cannot under the terms of the contract it has signed with the Secretary of State sell the lease.

Any legal action that you bring against Barnet will directly threaten 80 local children’s education next year, something you have previously declared you do not seek to do.

As direct result of your actions you have already forced the local authority to use public money on litigation as opposed to public services.

At present it appears that your remaining motivation is simply to delay the opening of the main site.

You are aware as are the wider community that our planning application included opening up the site for some community use beyond the education of children.

We hope that you will now take a moment to consider withdrawing the threat of litigation and communicate this without delay to the London Borough of Barnet and to us. If you wish to explore what Barnet, the community and the School can deliver together then we would welcome a dialogue with you.

Whatever you decide to do, as we approach the Jewish New Year next week, we wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.

The Trustees and Governors of Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This letter has been reproduced in full and without editing. The Barnet Eye will be happy to publish any response from the Action Group. The Barnet Eye is happy to publish any such communications from any groups in Barnet which are relevant to local issues, as long as they are legal, decent and address a genuine local issue.

Wyevale Garden Centre Mill Hill - Misleading notices

I've been asked to draw attention to the fact that a rather misleading notice has been placed on the site of the former Wyevale Garden Centre in Mill Hill. This states that the nearest Garden Centres are in Enfield, Potters Bar and Harrow. This is totally incorrect. The nearest Garden Centre is in Mill Hill. It's called Finchley Nurseries and they are in Burtonhole Lane. They are also  Mill Hill's oldest garden centre, having been on the site for 73 years. They also have an aquatic centre on site. The full details can be found here - http://www.finchleynurseries.co.uk/

I've spoken to Etz Chaim school, who will be occupying the site and they have asked me to clarify the fact that the signs are nothing to do with them, as Wyevale still own the site and will do until the 3rd of October. They are not legal able to do anything about the signs. Until that time, Wyevale can do what they like (so long as it's legal). It is natural that they wish to promote their other sites, but the wording on these banners are incorrect. They should say "Your nearest Wyevale Garden Centre is at ....".

As a long standing Mill Hill resident, I urge everyone to support local businesses such as Finchley Nurseries and the Pond Life Aquatic centre. I personally see no reason why any Mill Hill resident would want to shop at Wyevale in future. They made a commercial decision to abandon the Centre, which they claimed was trading profitably to many local residents, up until the transfer of the lease. They chose to leave their loyal customers, so support the centre that is still here and save yourself the petrol. Despite some of the wilder claims by locals, what happened was that Wyevales were a good price and put the cash before their customers. End of Story.

Barneteye Weekly Roundup - the Death of a blog ?

A great write up for the Shine London Night Time marathon in London's leading listings website - The Londonist - (http://londonist.com/2011/09/shine-night-marathon-makes-london-debut.php). The Shine event is in aid of Cancer Research UK. This blog is supporting this event in every way it can. My good lady is participating, as detailed yesterday, in memory of the many friends and family we've lost to cancer. As technology progresses, we really do have the chance to end the suffering caused by this awful disease, for future generations. We can only do this by sticking our hands in our pockets and donating money. To demonstrate my commitment to the cause, I stated yesterday that unless we achieve a minimum of £200 sponsorship for Clare, this blog will cease on 2nd October. This is a cast iron promise, that will be that for me & Barnet blogging. I'm pleased to report that after only 1 day, we have already nearly reached the three quarters mark towards our target. The current total is £146 raised - you can save the blog by clicking this link and making a donation now -
  http://www.sponsormetoshine.org/claretichborne

 we all know friends and family who have suffered because of this monstrous disease. This is the best way we can fight it. Clare says thank you to everyone who has sponsored her (and so do I).


On to a few other issues. Bumped into the chair of the board of governors of Etz Chaim School (new Jewish Free School in Mill Hill), Adam Dawson yesterday. Had a chat with Adam, who said how great it was to see the kids in the new school. He said that the building works had produced a really great environment for the children. Whatever anyone may think of the school, it's important that we keep it all in perspective. Interestingly the papers covering the assignment of the lease appeared on the Barnet Council website yesterday - http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=10634 - it mentions the "minimal financial risk" associated with the transfer. I also see that there has been a variation in the lease, to allow part of the building to operate as a "community cafe". It will be interesting to find out more about this. I believe that the Action Group, who oppose Etz Chaim are still investigating a possible legal challenge regarding the site. It would be good to hear the current status of this. The Action Group website is not really that helpful - http://www.actiongroupmillhill.com/index.php/current-situation - just to note, the current site for the school is the SS Barrosa building, next door to the ex Wyevale Garden Centre. The school plan to move into the Garden Centre site at the start of next year.

On the subject of Schools, Barnet Council today announced plans to turn the site of Mill Hill Sports Club into a new school - http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9256796.Council_reveals_plans_to_turn_Mill_Hill_sports_club_into_school/  - I can absolutely guarantee that Councillor Andrew Harper is telling whoppers when he says he's working with local groups to help them find "new homes". The treatment of the club staff, members and wider community has been disgraceful. If  Harper has been "planning this for sometime" why didn't he work with those groups "some time" ago to help them find a new home. I guarantee he's upset many local people, lots of whom used to be Tories. Anyway Councillor Harper, I'm on the Mill Hill Music Festival organising committee and I look forward to the invite to discuss our new site.

Around the other Barnet Blogs

Mr Mustard has found a stack of reports showing that Barnet Council is failing to perform, by it's own measures - http://lbbspending.blogspot.com/

Mr Reasonable asks Barnet Tories "Is this what you voted for" - http://reasonablenewbarnet.blogspot.com/

VickiM57 discusses the recent council meeting & strike action - http://vickim57.blogspot.com/

Mrs Angry discusses the size of rivets on the Titanic & Councillor Rueben Thompstone's sense of humour (or lack of it when confronted by irate residents - http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.com/

And finally the Barnet Tory owned Barnet Bugle urged it's followers not to support this blog in its attempts to support Cancer Research UK - http://twitter.com/#!/barnetbugle/status/114420413920059392 - FYI the money isn't being "Given to me", it goes direct to Cancer Research UK. Anyway, I urge everyone to support the plethora of other good causes the Bugle Twittered today here - http://twitter.com/#!/barnetbugle - thanks for the publicity man.

On the subject of Twitter, we're introducing a new category, which will have it's own special post in future. This is the Barnet Tweet of the week. The winner this week is this -
---------------

@mikefreermp Mike Freer MP

Ed Balls says we must spend our way out of the debt crisis. Must try that line on my bank manager!

14 Sep via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply

------------------

Anyone who knows what happened to Barnet Council finances under Mike Freer's Leadership will permit themselves a chortle. Can we now add  "Balls'ite" to "Brownite" and "Stalinist"?
----------------
And finally, as regular readers know, we like a Friday Joke. We already blogged this clip, but it is worth looking at again. This was from the Barnet Council meeting this week

Etz Chaim Fee School Mill Hill - Mill Hill Action Group leaflet appears

I was passed this leaflet by a resident of Victoria Road. It is for a public meeting to discuss legal action against Barnet Council, with regard to the decision to grant Etz Chaim school planning permission. I am rather perterbed by certain aspects of this meeting.

a) The meeting is not advertised on the Action Group website
b) There are no proper contact details for the organisers
c) The leaflet does not have a publisher address

It would seem to me that if the campaign has genuine grounds for a legal challenge, then they should be notifying as many people as possible and widely publicising the meeting. I am intrigued by the suggestion of  "an even better amenity for the community at large".

Anyway, I am publishing this leaflet, as I believe that such meetings should be open to all. If serious legal grounds have been identified, surely these should have been discussed with the School & Council? I cannot attend this meeting, due to prior commitments at Wembley Stadium.

For the record, with Barnet Council's recent record for accuracy etc, I would not be surprised if they had cocked up the paperwork.Whilst this clearly should be completed properly, I personally would not support a campaign of attrition against the school. If the campaigners have found a real reason why the centre cannot legally be converted and must be turned back into a swimming pool that is one thing, but if it is merely an attempt to waste the time and spend public money on court cases to delay things for six months whilst the paperwork is corrected, I cannot agree that this is a good way to conduct the campaign. I look forward to hearing the legal arguments from the campaign.

Etz Chaim School approved last night

To no ones great surprise, Barnet Councils planning committee yesterday approved the use of the site of Mill Hill Garden Centre for conversion to Etz Chaim Free School.

I suppose it is ironic to note that today the Jewish Chronicle reports that there may be too many places at Jewish Primary Schools - http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/51993/sinai-asked-take-non-jewish-pupil. As Etz Chaim will be taking up to 50% of non Jewish pupils, I suppose it won't struggle for numbers. I wonder what contingency  plans the school has made should they have to provide an education to a non religious majority, should the Jewish places be undersubscribed?

Hat Tip to Daniel Hope at the Barnet Bugle for drawing my attention to the story.

Etz Chaim School - Mill Hill - Official response to the Action Group statement - Guest Blog

Last week, The Barnet Eye published a blog detailing the issues related to the proposed Etz Chaim Free School on the site of Wyevale nursery, Daws Lane Mill Hill. We invited both sided of the argument to state their case in guest blogs. Earlier this week the Action Group opposing the site detailed their case. Today the supporters of the school issued their response. We do not comment on guest blogs, but felt that it is necessary to set the context for this particular post.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest blog by  Mark Frazer (on behalf of Etz Chaim School),

We’re grateful for this rare opportunity to respond directly to some of the points raised by the ‘action group’ and we’d like to say how disappointed we are at much of the content of their guest blog which ranges from skewed information which is likely to mislead readers to plain untruths.

I’d like to begin by addressing perhaps the most upsetting accusation, which may also be the most misleading part of the blog entry. Ms Samuelson says, “To take away a resource is selfish”. We must be very clear on this point. The school is not taking anything away from the community. It is now widely known that the Garden Centre’s parent company is being sold off by Lloyds Banking Group and though we will all be very sorry to see it close, it is entirely wrong to suggest that the school is at fault for the financial position of the Garden Centre Group. Frankly, the ‘action group’s’ constant assertions that we have offered some extortionate amount of money for the site or that Sir Tom Hunter has somehow personally intervened to sell off a successful business because of his interest in educational causes, are insulting. These suggestions, which are supported by no evidence at all, do the ‘action group’ no credit. Ms Samuelson should hope that Sir Tom’s lawyers are not among the readers of ‘Barnet Eye’.

The ‘action group’ suggest that they have ‘offered’ a number of locations to us, this despite our explanation that each of their suggestions had already been considered and ruled out for various reasons. I do hope that Ms Samuelson and her colleagues will understand that given the choice between taking advice from them or from Partnerships for Schools and the Department for Education, we have felt compelled to take the latter option.

Ms Samuelson says that the projected uptake for the school ‘will fall in the next 2 years’ and further suggests that she has heard this prediction directly from us. I can only say that this is entirely false. We have been given no reason to believe that uptake will fall in the next two years and have never suggested any such thing.

We have also apparently ‘refused’ to speak with the elderly and disabled members of our community. Once again, this is simply untrue, we have spoken to many hundreds of residents and continue to do so. Ms Samuelson would have us believe that the Garden Centre is some sort of publicly funded clinical therapy home and not simply the private retail establishment that it is. Supporters of the school are also local residents and will certainly miss what has been a popular venue in Mill Hill but, at the risk of being repetitive, we are not responsible for its closure; we can only be responsible for what replaces it.

Finally, Ms Samuelson assures us that she has read ‘all the documents’ and goes on to make a number of quite silly points:

1.       “Primary school place shortages list does not include Mill Hill” – It’s not clear which ‘list’ she is referring to but demonstrating a shortage of places was an essential prerequisite to our funding application. If there were no demand there would certainly be no school. It is disappointing that the ‘action group’ still pursue this argument despite their assurances that they are not opposed to the school, only the location.  

2.       “There is not one child of school age marked on the school catchment map in the immediate area down to go to the school and only 2 children of nursery age.” With respect, this again, is simply not true. While our policy is not to release specific numbers, I can assure readers that Etz Chaim will serve the local community and suggestions to the contrary are very troubling.

3.       “According to the catchment shown it is likely that 150 – 190 cars (including staff) will drive to this location.  This is matched by comparisons with other schools in the immediate area.” When the school opens we will have less than 50 pupils and eight members of staff. Ms Samuelson appears to be suggesting that each pupil will bring with them an entourage of 3 to 4 cars. We have repeatedly stressed that Etz Chaim, as a one form entry school cannot be compared to other larger schools. The truth of course is that our travel plan will mean that there is very little impact on traffic in the early years of the school. Even when the school reaches its capacity we have measures in place to ensure that the traffic impact is kept to a minimum. These plans have been submitted with our publicly available planning application.

4.       “Athletics and dance are hardly suitable opportunities for the elderly and disabled.” Athletics and dance are just two of the suggestions that we have received for community activities. Others have included ‘Sunday Clubs’ and an allotment which may well be suitable for the elderly and disabled. We are not trying to replace the Garden Centre or replicate exactly what it offered to the community - we expect that some positive uses will be lost and that new and different positive uses will emerge in their place.  

5.       “We have heard that it could be a Tesco. Yet Barnet Council acknowledge that they have received no other enquiries for the site, despite the rumours and misinformation put out by the School’s proponents.” Firstly, we have never suggested that anyone else is purchasing the site save for making the point that another party could do so if we were not on the scene. It should be of no surprise that Barnet Council has received no other offers for the site at this stage since the school has an agreement in place with the Garden Centre, subject of course to planning permission.

To be clear, the ‘action group’ have never offered ‘to work with’ the proponents of the school. Ms Samuelson may though be referring to their offer to ‘help us to find an alternate location’. In fact no constructive advice or support has ever been offered. This is clearly demonstrated by Ms Samuelson’s ‘solution’. She suggests a second temporary location and then, “From there, find and develop a permanent site which will not remove the heart of the community from the community.”  This could not be more revealing, the action group’s proposed solution is to find a different site. If they have properly read any of this response I hope they will recognise that not only is there no other appropriate site but that given the circumstances, Etz Chaim will prove to be a huge asset that Mill Hill can be proud of. We welcome all constructive suggestions for ways in which we can serve the community at our specially dedicated website and we look forward to hearing from you all.  

Mark Frazer

The Barnet Eye always welcomes guest blogs on subjects of local interest. Please email me via the email in the side bar. The views represented in this blog are the views of the author and do not reflect the views of the Barnet Eye. Guest blogs are printed without comment or editing.

MilL Hill News - Etz Chaim School - Response from action group

Guest Blog by Zoe Samuelson,

Thank you for the invitation.  

We have met and corresponded with the proponents on a number of occasions.

We have been clear all along as our objection letter shows that we support the school just not in that location and thousands of objection letters submitted to the council confirm this. We also made it clear that we support the school in any close location.

At a meeting we offered a number of locations including another site which was only refused on the grounds of being only financially suitable for a 3 form entry school. This was strange as only the week before it was quoted in the press that for every place there were 3 applications. In reality the projected uptake will fall in the next 2 years. Their words, not mine. 

Had consultation taken place all the way along they would have realised what the centre means to so many people. However, despite numerous requests for the Councillors, planning team or school to go and speak directly to the elderly and disabled in the community, they have refused, each and every time.

The individuals who use the site for rehabilitation and treatment as part of their services to the Borough residents include many service providers from Barnet funded centres and social services. Adults with learning disabilities in particular are the hardest group to be able to make sure that every day counts. To take away a resource is selfish. I cannot think of one reason why a school cannot deliver just as good an education on an alternative site. 

I have read all the documents and would like to share my observations. 

1) Primary school place shortages list does not include Mill Hill 

2) There is not one child of school age marked on the school catchment map in the immediate area down to go to the school and only 2 children of nursery age.

3) According to the catchment shown it is likely that 150 – 190 cars (including staff) will drive to this location.  This is matched by comparisons with other schools in the immediate area.

4)The community use offered is acknowledged as being no different to what is already available, is costly, discretionary and you’re right, can only be used if you are Kosher (and can afford to provide kosher food for your guests). Athletics and dance are hardly suitable opportunities for the elderly and disabled. In any event the school will exclude all day centres and colleges as community use is offered out of school hours. What of the service providers? How do you replace this resource for them? Horticulture, independent living, out and about for the mentally ill, stimulation from the aquatics centre, exemplary access which includes mobility scooters. Space to breath and interact. 

5) We have heard that it could be a Tesco. Yet Barnet Council acknowledge that they have received no other enquiries for the site, despite the rumours and misinformation put out by the School’s proponents. Ask the Council. We did in an FOI. In any event, Mill Hill is one of their top performing centres and if they weren’t being offered an inflated price and have a chairman on the Free School Government think tank, they have no reason to sell. However, it is the site for the community we support. This site has always existed for the good of the entire community and not just a small section.

We have asked to work with Adam and his team but they have steadfastly refused.

The solution. Open the school in the Sea Cadets building in September. Move to the JMI School in Barnet which will be vacated by the current tenants when their new school, currently being built in Hale lane is ready next spring. From there, find and develop a permanent site which will not remove the heart of the community from the community. 

The school did not have to open this year as every child has also had an offer from Barnet. I cannot think of a worse start for a community school. This is not how it should be.

Zoe Samuelson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoe Samuelson is a member of the Action Group opposing the closure of Mill Hill Garden Centre to facilitate Etz Chaim Free School. This blog was published in response to a blog posted by the Barnet Eye, where we asked for statements from opponents and supporters of the School. This does not represent the views of the Barnet Eye.  Guest blogs are always welcome on any subject relevant to life in the London Borough of  Barnet.

Etz Chaim School - Update

Supporters of Etz Chaim School in Mill Hill have asked me to draw your attention to this article in the Daily Mail

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2010806/Garden-Centre-Group-sold-Lloyds-Banking-Group.html#ixzz1R7VYmea0

Etz Chaim School proposal before planning and environment committee 20th July

The proposal for the Etz Chaim Jewish Free School is up before the Barnet Council Planning and Environment Committee on Weds 20th July. The papers are here :-

http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/meetings/meetingdetail.asp?meetingid=6772

The Barnet Eye has a broadly neutral stance on the proposal.

Pro's
There is a shortage of school places in Barnet, which clearly needs
There is a demand withing the Jewish Community for a faith school
There is a solid base of Jewish families within walking distance of the school, which will reduce travel distance & car trips to other alternatives

Con's
Likely to cause traffic gridlock on A41 & Daws Lane when children are dropped off
Loss of amenity for local gardening & Aquatic community and other users of the Garden Centre
Likely to have unsightly security measures and be ugly

Strangely enough, all of the arguments have not changed my perception of any of these issues. If the school was in a more suitable location, I would have backed the proposal. I have been extremely put off the school by many comments of its supporters in the press.

Reading some of the comments on local paper stories (see these here), it is clear that some big porkies are being told by the school supporters.

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9126893.Protesters__last_ditch_attempt_to_save_garden_centre/

Here is one example from MHResident

You need to check the facts. There are a dozen people in this photo, which makes the claim of “thousands” clearly ridiculous. One only needs to check the public planning consultation to see that the “in favour” votes overtake the “against”. These protesters are NOT the majority and should stop claiming to be so.

On page 50 of the council report accessable by the link above, it clearly states that there have been 2,500 letters of objection and 1,400 letters of support. It is clear that MHResident is the one who "needs to check the facts". A petition with 3,000 signatures was also received. One high profile supporter of the scheme is Brian Coleman who lists his reasons :-

1. The requested change of use from A1 (Garden Centre) to D1 (Education) will not have a negative effect on the local area

2. Will improve a much needed increase in educational provision

3. The quantum of car parking spaces is sufficient

4. The forming of an open courtyard, play area and soft landscaping to be of a good quality design

 5. There is a high demand for a Jewish free school in Mill Hill and would urge the Committee to grant the application

I suspect Cllr Coleman hasn't taken the trouble to speak to the action group to get a balanced view.

The case for the school indicates that whilst there is a requirement for places, it is not clear that parents see a faith school as the solution. On page 60 it says

Pupil projections do not indicate whether pupils would only attend or would prefer to attend a religious school.

There are a few interesting points also mentioned in support of the school on page 53 :-

School would be good for the area and community
1 There is a desperate need for primary school places
2 Great opportunity for local children who will walk to the school
3 Would provide a platform for the community
4 There is an increased number of young families in the area
5 School is essential for the Jewish community
6 School would be on a direct bus route
7 Most pupils will walk to the school as it will be local to them
8 Considerable shortage of decent school places
9 Many local parents now drive long distances for the school run. This would
enable them to walk to a local school.
10 It would be an enormous benefit to the local community and the building
would be open to other users.

Most of these points I tend to agree with, however, I take issue with the following ones as positive benefits :-

5 - The School is clearly not essential for the Jewish Community. The Jewish Community has thrived without a Jewish School. I agree that some Jewish parents would like it, but it is clearly anything but "essential". I've also spoken to many jewish parents who feel that a non faith based increase in places would be preferable.
6 - Given the admissions policy, it is highly likely that most children not walking will be driven to school. This means that if anything Bus traffic will be adversely affected
8  - The vast majority of schools in Barnet are decent. I am not convinced that this proposal is the best way to address the shortage of places in the current economic climate. I suspect it is an expensive way to increase general provision, although I've seen conflicting evidence from both sides.
10 - This is highly debatable. I think on balance there is a loss of amenity, which has not been properly addressed.

To sum up 

I'd urge anyone who is interested to read the papers with an open mind. I doubt any school proposal in Mill Hill could progress without some sort of adverse public reaction. I also have heard anti semitic comments in relation to the proposal and agree with supporters of the school that this is a problem. I don't think that the school has made a cast iron case, and some of the supporters have damaged the case by spouting bare faced lies, which have inflamed protestors. I suspect that the school has made a big mistake in it's approach to its opponents. I've told the chairman of the School this on several occasions.

I am of the opinion that when a proposal for a faith school (of any denomination) is being made, members of that group should not be on the decision making body. I would trust the other committee members to make a fair decision. I just happen to feel that it would be almost impossible for a member of the faith to vote against a proposal they thought was flawed, without being ostracised from their community. I would take the same view for an RC, Islamic or CofE school. It would also ensure that the decision was seen as unbiased. I am rather surprised that the sound reasons why a Jewish School is desirable for Jewish families has not been mentioned. These are

It is easier to maintain a totally Kosher environment
It is less disruptive to the school year if Jewish Holidays can be planned
A school may wish to specialise in subjects such as Hebrew & Jewish history, which may be uneconomical for schools with a small Jewish community intake

The most upsetting thing for me about this whole thing is that the pro and anti campaigns have not moved the debate forward one inch. They have addressed no issues and sought no common grounds. Every local paper story has comments which descend into a slanging match. My biggest concern of the lot is that the School doesn't look to me as if it wants to be a good neighbour. That is something they really should address ASAP. I really think they could have done the whole project in a far less confrontational manner. Having said that we need more school places in Barnet and this is a part of that picture, whether we like it or not
--------------------------------------------------

I am formally inviting both the pro and anti school campaigns to submit guest blogs to the Barnet Eye. Please email using link in my profile. I will print anything that is a) Honest b) Legal and c) informative

The Barnet Eye weekly Roundup - Doom and Gloom **** Updated 4/4/2011

Photo courtesy of Vicki Morris

Before I start with the round, a little trailer ......

Keep you eyes on the blogs of Barnet this week. There is going to be a very important piece of news launched.

Onwards to the local news. First the sad news that Barnet Council, in an act of Philistinism and stupidity, closed the Church Farmhouse museum. A team of activists from the Barnet Alliance 4 Public services marked this with a demonstration as the museum doors shut for the last time. Church Farmhouse museum Curator Gerrard Roots said...
Church Farm received 9,000 visitors in 2010. Since 3rd January 2011 to its closing date it has received 3,500 visitors, all of whom wanted the museum to survive. RIP to this fine museum.

Many staff at Barnet Council were also made redundant. The head of legal services, Jeff Lustig, took the unprecedented step of emailing all councillors to draw their attention to the fact. This email was leaked to the Barnet Future Shape blog and you can view it here - http://barnetfutureshape.blogspot.com/2011/03/barnet-council-risk-to-democracy.html - either Barnet haas been hellishly overstaffed for the last eight years of Tory misrule, or it now lacks the number of staff to function effectively - make your mind up.

Other news in Barnet. 57 local citizens were honoured by the mayor for their outstanding contribution to Borough life. The council put out a press release to mark this -
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/press_releases.htm?id=2337 - now I happen to know one of the winners of the award who attended. A lavish buffet was laid on, a photographer took pictures, the Mayor made a fine speech and every winner was given a glossy booklet detailing their outstanding work. Now, I don't begrudge these citizens their day out, even in these tight times. What I think is bizarre is that the press release makes no mention of the winners, what they did or why they won the award. As a glossy book was produced, why wasn't this loaded onto the council website for display as a PDF and why didn't the press release link to it?
I rather suspect that we need details of such inspirational citizens. The fact that 57 peoples outstanding efforts warrants only a four paragraph press release is an insult to these hard working citizens. The press release is extremely patronising -  the final line of the press release :-

“It is heartening to know that we can count on so many wonderful people.”

Other news. I've just been called by a local Tory Councillor who told me Matthew Offord was on the BBC at lunchtime saying that the Jewish School in Mill Hill - Etz Chaim - will be opening in September. Now I was under the impression that this was subject to planning consent. Does Mr Offord have some inside information that the process has been in some way knobbled? Offord Twittered he was on the Politics Show, so I guess this is what he meant. The most damaging thing about Etz Chaim, which in many ways is a good proposal, is the fact that there is a perception that Barnet Council has in some way subverted the normal process to ease it through. Offord making announcements such as this surely cannot help. The school would be well advised to steer clear of political controversy, or jumping into bed with local politicians. Schools are community resources.
******** Updated 4/4/2011 -  I was contacted by a representative from Etz Chaim School who suggested that I may have misrepresented what was said by Matthew Offord. Thanks to the Barnet Bugle, who have provided a clip of Mr Offord's contribution on the show. Please watch the clip (in sidebar at the top) and decide for yourself. Many thanks to the representative of Etz Chaim as we are always happy to print corrections and clarifications where necessary ******** Ends ********

Another interesting mystery is the fact that Partingdale Lane was closed to through traffic yesterday (Sat 2nd April). No one seems to know why. This country lane was famously re-opened by Brian Coleman following legal challenges which cost Barnet Council nearly £1 million. It had been closed by the previous Labour/Lib Dem adminstration on safety grounds. Since Coleman reopened it, there have been a string of accidents.

Oh and congratulations to Councillor Hugh Rayner. Seems to me (having read the Business management minutes, special committee) that he's just given himself a promotion and he's now the most powerful man in Barnet politics. Well done to Hugh for promoting himself - No one else would !!!!!!

New Jewish School for Mill Hill - Some info if you are interested

There seems to be an unprecedented amount of interest in the new school proposal. There is an opportunity to view the proposals - Wednesday 30th March3.30pm -9.00pm Ex-Civil Defence Building, 80 Daws Lane, NW7.

For those of you who are interested in whst the school are trying to achieve - check their website - http://www.etzchaim-primaryschool.org.uk/our-school/vision-and-ethos.html 

They say :-

Vision and Ethos

Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School is a one form entry primary school set in the heart of Mill Hill, North London, providing a high quality education for children aged 3 – 11 years. Our Nursery, on site, is separate to our Primary School but has close links to the school to ease progress during the change from the nursery year to school.

We are committed to the practice of Orthodox Judaism. Community, charity, religious knowledge and the ethical and moral values described in the Torah will permeate all aspects of our school life. Our pupils will be proud of their Judaism, its religious practices and traditions, support Israel and encouraged to play a full and active role as a British Jew in the wider community.

Established in response to the local Jewish community’s need for an Orthodox Jewish primary school in the area, Etz Chaim is actively supported by the parents in the local Jewish community, whose Jewish values and practices will be developed and encouraged at school.

The school has a very strong link with the local community and Mill Hill United Synagogue, being fully supported by Rabbi Shochet who has been an active partner during its creation.

Our pupils will be successful learners who enjoy learning, make excellent progress and achieve well. We will develop children’s personal skills to help them achieve academically and become lifelong learners and lovers of learning. Our graduates will be confident individuals who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. Furthermore, they will be responsible citizens who will make a positive contribution to British and Jewish society.

Etz Chaim is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and all staff share this commitment. The school is inclusive and accessible; one where equality of opportunity goes hand in hand with a broad and balanced curriculum to develop each child's potential. Furthermore, we will promote an atmosphere of encouragement, acceptance and respect for achievements in which all children can thrive; a climate of warmth and support in which confidence and self-esteem can flourish.

There will be a broad and balanced curriculum, tailored to the needs of all our learners. This will promote both subject related skills and knowledge, as well as the development of life skills and independence and safe and healthy lifestyle choices. The curriculum will foster the development of pupils’ personal, social and emotional skills and qualities.
--------------
If you want to know more about the general movement for free schools read this -
http://newschoolsnetwork.org/about-us/our-mission

Mill Hill Jewish School - Interview with Chair of Governors

Adam Dawson is chair of the board of Governors at Etz Chaim, the New Jewish Free School which plans to open in Mill Hill in September. The Barnet Eye met Mr Dawson to discuss issues raised regarding the school.

There were a few points I wanted to clarify and there were a few points Adam wanted to make to me. We decided that neutral ground would be a good place. We agreed Frattellis Coffee bar at 6pm. The meeting got off to a very bad start. Our chosen venue closes at 6pm, so we had to make a hasty adjournment to Costa Coffee.

 

I asked Adam how it was going. He said "I am starting to feel like the most hated man in Mill Hill". Welcome to the club. What is his motivation for getting involved? This was an easy question "There are not enough places at the existing Jewish Schools for the parents that want to give their children a Jewish Education". This is a statement of fact. Is the school associated with Shul in Mill Hill? "No, they are not financially backing the school, although we don't rule out asking them in future". Now I see nothing wrong with it if they were. I just asked the question to understand the nature of the proposal. Is the school only open to Orthodox Jewish Children. "No, 50% have to have a CRP form (confirmation of Religious Practise form) and 50% do not require any formal association with the faith, other than a desire to attend the school". Why do you want to take over the Nursery "It is the most financially viable site". What about the traffic "We expect the vast majority of Children to walk to school, many live in Poets Corner. We also plan to stagger opening times and offer early drop off for parents who need to get to work early, this will smooth out the traffic flow". Adam acknoweldged that once children are in, siblings may pose an issue if the family move. What about the loss of amenity "We are looking at ways to address this". Have you made mistakes in how you've engaged with the people of Mill Hill "Yes, I've never done anything like this before. I genuinely didn't realise the proposal would generate hostility". Why do you think that it has "People don't understand what we are trying to do". You do recognise that people like the nursery? "They are not being forced out by us. They have made a commercial decision to assign the lease" Adam didn't want me to discuss this any further as there are ongoing commercial decisions.

 

So what do I think, having met the man with the plan? I don't really think it has changed my main concerns, regarding traffic. These won't really hit until the school has been open a few years and parents have moved, sibling attended and the first flush of zealous  walking has subsided. I fully expect the heady late summer days of the opening term to see 100% walk to school rates, but five or ten years down the line? Often the nature of schools change. Who knows what attitude the guy who replaces Adam when he's had enough may decide. Once the school is established, the rules change. I do acknowledge that he is trying to do a difficult job. There really isn't a perfect site in Mill Hill and I can see the attractions and the advantages. He has some great ideas and has clearly put in a lot of work. I think he's been badly let down by a whole raft of local politicians.

 

Perhaps the most bizarre answer he gave me was when I asked why he hadn't fully engaged with the Mill Hill Preservation Society. He told me that he'd approached them and they'd asked him to come back when the plans were drawn up. To my mind this is far too late in the day. Had they engaged and helped him seek out sites and elicit peoples views then I suspect the school would have been viewed in a completely different light. He advised me that they plan to put the plans on public display when they have been prepared (see below). This is a sensible next step. My advice was to be as open as possible, not to align with any local politicians and to try and ensure that the wider community got something from the school. We discussed a few ideas. I wait with interest to see if these make it into the plans.

 

This is a very important local issue. I am pleased that the School is now engaging with its critics face to face. As I said before, there isn't a perfect site in Mill Hill for a new School. Is this the best of the bunch? I really don't know. If I were one of the supporters of the school, I'd lay my cards out as to why, when commercial considerations allow. I said to Adam that if I'd been the one planning the school, I'd have gone about the whole thing in a different manner. His response "With hindsight, so would I". Fair comment

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An exhibition of the plans for Etz Chaim - will be held on Wednesday 30th March3.30pm -9.00pm Ex-Civil Defence Building, 80 Daws Lane, NW7