Here’s his message to townsfolk, which was forwarded to us here at the Waverley Web by a follower. In his message, Councillor Follows did not include a picture of himself.
Tonight I attended the public meeting in Godalming regarding the exam question ‘Should Green Oak school be closed’ – to an earth-shattering ‘No’ from the assembled electors of the town.
Fantastic democratic expression and I was proud to be a part of it.
I was also proud to introduce my guest, Mrs Lou Anderson of the Castle Hill Academy Trust to challenge the utterly false notion that there are no options and to put forward, to the town – proposals and future discussion points.
The diocese and others clearly object to councillors such as myself stepping into the search for a MAT. But if the people who should be looking, aren’t – and I have little confidence they have tried – I will step in for the good of the community (as an elected representative of that community) and do what I feel needs to be done. This is what I did today – and I will be working with the reps of the diocese and the proposed MAT to try to work through some of the more difficult issues to be addressed.
I have really tried to resist being too party-political during the campaign to save the school – but I say this last comment to a number of conservative councillors who decided to utter some unhelpful comments to us following the meeting –
I will work with anyone I need to in order to help get this done – but put in the work in the real world and not just when someone gets a camera out. Real cuts across the board from your party are a HUGE contributor to where we are today, and especially in communities like Ockford And Aaron’s Hill. Take responsibility for that too in the same way you take Party money and logo when you stand for election.
Finally, I want to say a massive well done to the parents, especially Karen, Nicole, Claire and Pete (and everyone else who spoke and asked extremely sensible and relevant questions). I would also highlight that MATs getting in touch with us only happened due to the massive publicity and social media presence generated by parents and Liberal Democrat councillors so a shared ‘well done’ all around.
Onward and upward. Tonight opened up new paths and opportunities to explore!
At last someone to challenge the TT’S along side Jerry Hyman, just like the good old days when it was Diane James and Bryn Morgan!
We agree, this new councillor is serving the electorate well and it appears he will not be stamped on by Waverley’s bully boys/girls. We need more people like him in our borough.
I was pleased to see the Rector of St Peter and St Paul’s was at the meeting in support of Green Oak School along with about 20 of her parishioners, around half of whom worship at St Mark’s Church, the others in the parish church.