Cabinet  Agenda Item 140(b) 

Subject: Public Questions

Date of meeting: 19 March 2026

A period of not more than thirty minutes shall be allowed at each ordinary meeting for questions submitted by a member of the public.

The following written questions have been received from members of the public:

1.         Vanessa McGeachin - Middle Street Statutory Notices

Could you clarify what proportion of the current budget deficit, which has been cited as a key factor in the decision to close Middle Street Primary School, is attributable to ongoing or one-off payments to staff no longer employed at Middle Street, including the Headteacher?

2.         Jane Goldsmith - Middle Street Statutory Notices

Given its heritage as Brighton's oldest school and its central location, close to public transport links - also bearing in mind the recent refurbishment at significant public expense - what are the council’s views on repurposing Middle Street, perhaps as a special needs hub serving the entire city community.

3.         Oli Sharpe - Middle Street Statutory Notices

It concerns me greatly that the report for item 156 fails to capture the temporary nature of the recent problems at Middle Street School, blaming “governance and finance” rather than the widely known break down in relations between the previous senior leadership team and the school community. The phrase “senior leadership” does not appear once. Nor does the report mention that pupil numbers had been consistently around 190 (90% of PAN) for years, making the school financially viable compared to neighbouring schools. It is only the recent complex HR issues and loss of community trust that led to pupil numbers dropping to 141 and then 71 after rumours of closure circulated. With a PAN of 15, a new senior leadership team, and a 10 year plan to pay off the deficit this much loved school would be viable. Why are these details and options not in the report to council?