What was branded as “.. politicking of the worst kind” erupted at last week’s meeting of Wokingham borough council.
It happened during a debate that was triggered following the submission of a petition on a new sixth form building at Emmbrook school.
Plans were first approved in March 2023 with a planned completion date of September 2025.
The petition, created by parents Emma Wilkinson, Vicky Warburton and Sarah Thomas, received 2,287 signatures calling for Wokingham Borough Council to commit to completing the project.
According to a statement from the Conservative group, the Lib Dems amended the motion and voted only to “.. honour the terms of the 2024 letter of intent that capital funding will be sought.’’
A spokesperson said: “The ‘letter of intent’ has not been made public.
“Councillors and parents have not seen it, and It remains unclear when the Lib Dems might progress the project, if ever.
“What are they trying to hide? Why will they not keep their previous promises?”
Charles Margetts, shadow executive member for children’s services said, “Once again, no commitment has been given on when funding will be made available or when work will start to build the new sixth building at Emmbrook School.”
He said: “In 2022, Wokingham borough council asked Emmbrook School to take additional pupils beyond its capacity.
“An agreement was made where Emmbrook would accommodate the extra pupils by converting part of the existing sixth form building into a dining hall.
“In return, the council would provide capital for a new sixth form building scheduled to open in September 2025.
“Emmbrook School has upheld its part of the agreement by converting part of the sixth form into a dining area. However, WBC has not held up its part of the deal.
“Despite confirming they have the budget, there is no commitment to rebuild the sixth form.”
Construction is now due to begin in March next year, with sixth form students are currently being taught in temporary buildings where they will remain until the new building is completed.
Recently, the council’s Liberal Democrat executive has agreed to provide a budget of £240,000 for enabling work over the summer of 2025 to ensure the main project can move forward. Completion is now expected to be in 2027, a two-year delay.
At last week’s meeting, Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, supported an amendment that acknowledged the work the council has already done, and the ‘letter of intent’ committing to the completion of the project.
Cllr Margetts rejected the amendment, accusing the Lib Dems of watering it down.
He said: “That, to be honest, is very disappointing.”
A war of words erupted, with Cllr Stephen Conway, council leader, said: “Every effort is being made by Conservative speakers to undermine public confidence in the delivery of this sixth form block.
“I have to say this is an appalling piece of irresponsible politics. I know the Conservative party is desperate, but this truly takes the biscuit.”
“This has been a rather bad-tempered debate, with no respect shown for the mayor or fellow councillors, which I regard as pretty poor..
“This to me is politicking of the worst kind.”
Defending claims that the recent allocation of money to start work on the site was purely “window dressing”, he said: “Would the council commit nearly a quarter of a million pounds to enabling work for a project that it didn’t intend to pursue?
“That is absolutely ludicrous.
“One Conservative speaker dismisses this as mere window dressing. That must be the most expensive window dressing I’ve ever seen.
“Every effort is being made by Conservative speakers to undermine public confidence in the delivery of this six form block, and I have to say this is an appalling piece of irresponsible politics.
“I know the Conservative party is desperate, but this truly takes the biscuit.”
The development is predicted to cost £3.6 million, with the investment needing to be considered amongst all other council investment requirements in its medium term financial plan 2026/27.
