Scottish Borders Local Association

Email gaff sparks fears over staff stress

Published Date: 30 October 2008

By Bob Burgess

A TOP official at the centre of the controversial shake-up of education services in the Borders has apologised for comments she made in an email to a member of the public objecting about the possible closure of the St Andrew's Arts Centre in Galashiels, writes Bob Burgess. Monday was deadline day for public responses to the Transforming Children's Service (TCS) review.

But when one mother emailed her objections on the final day she was told the arts centre was not part of the TCS process and her observations would not be included.

And when the mother said she would take the matter further she was told: "take it to the moon".

The remark was made in an email by Leonna Bendall – the communications and policy development manager with the education department of SBC and one of those at the heart of the review.

Ms Bendall – who works from home in Rugby – later apologised and council chiefs confirmed the remark will be carefully investigated.

The council-run St Andrew's complex is under threat. There are conflicting reports whether the threat comes from budget restraints or the on-going TCS review.

In her formal objection to the council the woman wrote in an email: "The centre is a wonderful building that not only serves the artistic needs of schools but all manner of voluntary organisations too. It provides a creative space for many of the expressive arts including music, drama and dance. If the centre is to close we fear that the immense benefits it offers will not be adequately replicated elsewhere in the Borders."

Ms Bendall, in an email timed just after 7pm, replied: "The decision to close St Andrew's Arts Centre was nothing to do with TCS, this was decided by all elected members as part of last year's budget round. The TCS engagement process is now closed and this response will not be logged or included with other responses."

The objector replied pointing out the arts centre's future was included in a TCS document on the SBC website and that if a satisfactory reply was not received she would take the matter "considerably further".

Ms Bendall replied at 8.18pm: "If you want to take it further take it to the moon. Today was the closing day and I think at 7pm it is appropriate that I believe I be allowed to finish work."

The objector contacted her councillor Nicholas Watson and mid-morning on Wednesday she received an apology from Ms Bendall.

Her email states: "I apologise most sincerely for my inappropriate and inexcusable email. Sadly the volume, pace and timescale of the TCS process, particularly on Monday evening, affected my judgment.

"Your response will, of course, be considered and I do hope you will accept my apology – it is certainly not my usual practice or style."

And SBC chief executive David Hume told TheSouthern: "On the basis of information received this matter will be investigated very carefully."

And he confirmed the woman's response would be considered as part of the consultation process.

Councillor Watson, of the Borders Party, told TheSouthern: "We are not looking at a careless officer here: I have always found Ms Bendall very prompt and courteous in her correspondence.

She has now sent an apology, and quite right too.

“But my real fear is that officers leading this huge programme of change to our schools may be under real stress.

“The whole point of consultation is to make sure that the knowledge and experience of parents, teachers and other professionals is properly taken on board. Allowing only two weeks for this is an insult.”

Councillors are due to discuss a report on the consultation – currently being compiled – in a fortnight.

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