WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Letter
Ark – A Parent’s View
Dear HIP
I want to express my thanks to you for actually writing a truthful article on Ark Alexandra Academy (Why Won’t They Behave? in HIP 270). I did notice the corrections in the following article, noting that the numbers were actually of those who have been deregistered by parents, not suspensions – which in my opinion is even more shocking.
I just wanted to point this out,as I am one of the parents that deregistered my son from school altogether after just two terms at this school in Year 7. I am upset, as now my 12-year-old is in between schools, and has been for a month. The transition from primary to secondary school at Ark Alexandra was outrageous, and I cannot believe they seem to be still getting away with this treatment of pupils and parents.
I’m glad to see an honest write-up about what is going on there, albeit only the tip of the iceberg!
Samantha Hippel
Letter
Water Compensation ‘Victory’? Don’t pop the champagne yet, Ms Dollimore
Dear HIP,
In your article Water Compensation Victory in HIP 270 you write regarding the ‘victory’ of our MP Helena Dollimore for securing £2.8million in compensation for the May 2024 water outage. There’s a lovely photo of her and supporters with a prop cheque on the seafront.
While this was being taken, a rather different conversation was happening with Southern Water at Hastings Borough Council.
We’d won a commitment from CEO Lawrence Gosden back in November, at our second public meeting with SW, to reconsider paying this compensation. I reminded him just before Christmas and a meeting was set for January to discuss it. There, we were pleased to hear they would offer the full new GSS rate of compensation – £50 for every twelve full hours’ loss of supply. However, they stated the number of households impacted was 22,834. They agreed to check their figures and come back.
I calculated that if every household had been out for the full five days the compensation would be £11.4m. If just 10% were out fully, and the rest for one day, it would be £3.2m.
My response, therefore, when presented with their £2.8m sum that day, was somewhat less victorious. I made it clear I thought they’d miscalculated and insisted customers should have a means to query the amount. Now, SW admit they have seriously miscalculated – by millions.
Southern Water must get this right. We would all love to move on from the past four years of failings – but we’re not there yet. I am working with them to revisit cases of residents whose lives have been, frankly, ruined by flooding. This, and the enormous reputational and environmental damage that sewage pollution has done to our tourist town, must be repaired before popping the champagne.
I’m saving my celebration for the day our water is brought back into public hands, where it belongs.
Cllr Becca Horn
Green Cllr for Castle Ward and Clean Water Action member
Letter
Ark – Let’s see the outcomes
The proof will be in the impact on school results. Big changes in outcomes require big changes in input. It’s a brave person that solicits this level of ire from the public (and seemingly, local journalists) for the goal of better education for children.
Jack Adams
We would love to hear from you.
[email protected]
facebook.com/hastingsindependent
instagram.com/hastingsindependent
Please be aware we may need to edit letters for reasons of space and we will only withhold names if this is necessary for the protection of the writer
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply