I am delighted to report that this afternoon, the Select Committee at HCC voted unanimously not to accept the recommendation to close Stubbington Study Centre so that the site could be used for a secure children's home to replace Swanwick Lodge.
There were deputations from children and young people, teachers past and present, myself and four county councillors from the immediate area who were not on the committee themsleves, all arguing against the closure.
The Select Committee members all recognised the importance of providing for the very vulnerable children who need secure places, but did not accept that the only option was to close Stubbington Study Centre. They had had a visit to the centre and had been hugely impressed and like us, they felt that there should have been more co-operation with borough and district councils to find other sites and more dialogue with central government to seek an extension to the deadline. They therefore voted unanimously - across all party lines - to reject the proposal before them and instead asked for much more thorough examination of alternatives.
It is crucial to note that whilst the Select Committee's decision today is important - and pretty well unprecedented in Hampshire - the all important decision lies with Cabinet on 18 March. However, five of the nine Cabinet members - including Leader Nick Adams King - were present and listening throughout today's meeting so they will have heard the strength of opinion from all present. By the 18 March we shall also have the result of FBC's consideration on 11 March of HHRA's application for the centre to be listed as an asset of community value.
So well done everyone who wrote, signed, marched and otherwise made representations in favour of the study centre. We are over the first hurdle and very much hoping the Cabinet will make the right decision on the 18th.
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