After ultimatum is delivered
of the Complete Woodlands Meed School Campaign, who said they would demand a full investigation if the ultimatum should come to pass.
A spokesman said: “We don’t care about any politics at play. This is about SEN children’s actual lives.
“They need the correct facilities to support them day in day out and a full curriculum to afford equal opportunity to reach their full potential.
“We will never stop this campaign until these most vulnerable pupils get their basic statutory rights delivered and are no longer discriminated against.”
A statement from campaigners added: “As we have said many times before, [the council] is responsible for sorting out the mess they created over a decade ago.
“So the burning question is, what is their plan B if the governors, for valid reasons, simply cannot sign by November 4?”
County councillors Richard Cherry (Lib Dem, Burgess
Hill East) and Kirsty Lord (Lib Dem, Hassocks and Burgess Hill South), are the local representatives for the Woodlands Meed College and School sites respectively.
They have expressed their fears that this ‘high-stakes negotiating tactic’ may leave the families of Woodlands Meed high and dry.
Mr Cherry suggested the tone of WSCC’s letter was ‘intimidating’ and although it highlights the hard choice that has to be made to regain the project’s momentum, it ‘makes no attempt to mend the fractious history of the project’.
While Ms Lord added: “WSCC have gambled that an ultimatum will break the deadlock, but the problem is that ultimatums require you to have a Plan B.
“After questioning Cllr Jupp, it is clear to us that WSCC’s Plan B involves keeping Woodlands Meed as is and investing elsewhere. We don’t think that is good enough for the children and their parents.”