At the Cabinet Meeting today to decide the fate of Castle Hall Cllr Jim Dodds, Leader of the Conservative Group made the following statement:

"I would like to take this opportunity to voice my regret at how the Schools Organisation Advisory Group appears to have become a mechanism behind which the current Administration seeks to hide to deflect responsibility for the decisions it has to make. In particular, I consider that the minutes of the last meeting were composed with the sole purpose of embarrassing myself and Cllr Beryl Smith by making it appear that we are endorsing Cabinet decisions.

"I was the Cabinet Member who set up SOAG with the sole intention of having involvement from not only all parties but also our partners throughout education in Kirklees.

"That involvement was not to agree with any decision that the Cabinet may or may not make but it was to look at the process that had been carried out in order that Cabinet could take the decision legally. This was a consultative group designed only to give Cabinet the assurance that all procedures and legal issues had been covered.

"The first SOAG meeting to look at the closure of RM Grylls school did just that and it was emphasised at that meeting that the group was there to ensure the process in reaching the decision was correct. It was also emphasised that SOAG had no decision making power.

"I have been asked by you Chair on a number of occasions to work with the present administration on various issues. I am always willing to consider that, not to apportion blame or to tie my group into any course of action, but to look for the best solutions for Kirklees. Having read the Cabinet Members comments in the report, that willingness has quickly evaporated. My position is very clear. I and my Group will work with all the other Groups to discuss the problems that face Kirklees. But that has to be on the basis that if we agree joint solutions, they are presented as such. If not, I will happily explain why my Group did not agree.

"Like me, you want joint working, but the rules have to be clear. Joint working is designed to find united solutions to the problems the Council faces. It involves an equal contribution from the three main parties and a constructive debate. It is not to be used as an excuse for the Administration to hide behind all party talks to justify the very hard decisions that come with being in control.

"Reading the minutes of the last SOAG meeting I was shocked to see under each heading of the areas we looked at, it said ‘The proposals should be approved’ when it should have read ‘Agree that the correct procedures have been carried out, in order that Cabinet can take the decision legally’.

"I find it underhanded and against the spirit of cross party engagement to manipulate meetings and minutes to try and support the administrations view on any subject. It only goes to enhance the public’s perception of all politicians as untrustworthy and that they will do and say anything to achieve their aims

"Both I and Cllr Beryl Smith approached the meeting on the 7th September with an open and unbiased mind to look at and ensure all consultation and procedures had been carried out and nothing had been missed. We are satisfied that this is the case and that is what our comments reflected at the end of the meeting and at no stage did we give an assurance that the Conservative Group backed the decision taken by the administration.

"But because of the tone of the minutes, and the impression given by the portfolio holders recommendation, it is suggested that we did back the decision. Only yesterday I was attacked in the media by Shahid Malik for ‘performing a U turn’, and accused of the ‘ultimate betrayal’ of Castle Hall, and ‘rubber stamping’ the decision of Cabinet.

"Whilst purporting to support keeping Castle Hall open Mr Malik has hardly been vocal over the last few months but then tries to intervene right at the death for political gain. At least he has the good grace to be present today and I look forward to hearing what, if anything, he has to say.

"I think I have made my anger at the use of SOAG as a political tool clear enough in this statement, but I have voiced that anger in numerous communications since the publication of the Cabinet documents.

"I have an e-mailed reply to my queries from the Chief Executive which states: ‘The text you refer to is part of the portfolio holders recommendation and is NOT drafted by Officers.’

"But I also have an e-mailed response from Cllr Ken Smith, the portfolio holder which states: ‘The comment you refer to is a factual statement…….its wording was NOT influenced by any politician.’

"In essence this is a clear contradiction from which I ask those present to draw their own conclusions as to whose statement this is and who it was written by – because frankly no-one seems to have a clue!

"To close I will simply say this: You have a choice. Do you genuinely want to involve everyone, as you publicly state, or are you just playing politics, seeking to draw the Conservatives into the decisions you will have to make in the next few months?

"You might be stupid enough to think that we will fall for that, but neither the Conservative Group, nor the people of Kirklees, will forget that it is the Labour Group, supported by the Liberal Democrats, who run the Council."