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News Magazine Article

 

Yet another example of supervised children’s activities being targeted by Exeter City Council for withdrawal of support has arisen.  It seems to have a policy, whether stated or unstated, to withdraw a small contribution which denies others making much larger contributions from benefiting the youngsters.

This time, the target was the Splash holiday play scheme.

Similarities in the Council’s seeming lack of professionalism marked this out as another major error of judgement, attracting attention from those resisting the ‘Eddie’ syndrome. Jim has submitted the article below for publication in the May 2009 edition of ‘The Voice of Exeter’, showing how others are attempting to rectify ECC’s lamentable attitude towards the needs of the City’s children.  What is published, if anything, is the prerogative of the magazine’s editor.

 

Willowbrook Pupils Searching for a Name

The Splash holiday play scheme has sunk. It was plunged into crisis when Exeter City Council, a key minority partner, pulled the plug due to a funding shortfall. The coordinator, the City’s contribution to the scheme, was given notice, taking effect after the February half-term break. Children, therefore, were chosen as early victims of the shortfall. Insufficient warning was given for alternative arrangements to be made for the Easter holidays. Officers were almost certainly responsible, as councillors seemed supportive of Splash at the full Council on 24th February.

Following vigorous action by parents, funds were found to keep Splash afloat over Easter. With Splash now dead in the water, new arrangements are needed to avoid depriving the children of a much loved and much needed facility.

Splash has been using Willowbrook School as its base, and an inspirational meeting was held there on 25th March for all interested parties to chew over future possibilities. Unlike most such meetings, there was no prearranged agenda requiring a rubber stamp. Everyone listened to everyone else, all suggestions were welcomed, and help was offered from a variety of sources. The ingredients of a new scheme were thrown into the melting pot, with matters due to solidify as the way forward is discerned.

The governors of Willowbrook School, backed by Devon County Council, are taking responsibility for these exciting developments. The new scheme has yet to be christened, and a competition is taking place over the next few weeks for Willowbrook pupils to come up with a suitable name. Next on the agenda will be the appointment of a play leader, with whom detailed arrangements can be made. The play and childcare aspects should be up and running by the summer holidays, with perhaps a day’s activities over the coming half-term break.

At the meeting, it was mooted that the scheme might eventually be widened to include a breakfast club and an after school club. Such thinking reflects a progressive approach determined to serve the children’s best interests, and is a feather in the cap of all those involved. Perhaps Splash is turning into a fountain.