Annette Brooke MP Defends Wareham Middle School Playing Fields
January 16, 2012 7:17 PM
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, today sought to safeguard the future of Wareham Middle School's playing fields. During Education Questions in the House of Commons Annette asked Nick Gibb, the Minister for Schools, if both the Department of Education and Sport England would scrutinise any proposal to sell the playing fields very carefully.
Annette's concerns are shared by many of her constituents, who want to protect the playing fields for use by the community and the children of Wareham. Annette's question comes as part of a campaign by local people to oppose proposals by Dorset County Council to sell off a large proportion of the playing fields for development.
In his response Nick Gibb stated that Dorset County Council had not, as of yet, filed an application to sell the playing fields. Under rules laid down by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the county council would have to seek approval from the Secretary of State in order to sell the fields.
He further assured Annette that if such an application is made, the Secretary of State would take advice from the independent school playing fields advisory panel before making his decision.
After Education Questions Annette said, "We must keep fighting to protect Wareham's playing fields. With the school's closure forthcoming, it is crucial that we safeguard a lasting legacy for the playing fields. I think everyone agrees that they must be retained for community use, as they are an area of huge importance to local sports teams."
Question and Answer in Full:
School Playing Fields
2. Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): What his policy is on the sale of school playing fields; and if he will make a statement. [89248]
The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb): Playing fields are an important part of a school's estate, and sport is a critical element of any school curriculum. The Secretary of State's consent is needed to sell school playing fields under section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. School playing fields can be sold only if they are genuinely surplus, with all proceeds being used to improve sports or educational facilities. The Education Act 2011 also gives the Secretary of State power to direct that, instead of being disposed of, the land should be transferred to an academy or free school.
Annette Brooke: I thank the Minister for that answer. Will he make sure there is careful scrutiny by both Sport England and his Department of the proposed sale of playing fields at Wareham middle school? There are overwhelming objections locally, including from the district council and the town council, identifying the already overall shortage of playing fields. There is widespread community use of the fields, and there is particular opposition to the site's being sold for an out of town supermarket and its possible replacement with inferior provision.
Mr Gibb: The short answer is, yes we will. The long answer is that there has not yet been an application from Dorset county council to dispose of the Wareham school playing field. If such an application is made, the Secretary of State's approval to dispose of the playing field will be required, and he will take advice from the independent school playing fields advisory panel.
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