Members of the Lake 12 Partnership are continuing to nurture support for our bid to keep South Cerney open for use for young people and others. Having said that it would not be responding to our letter until April it was rather surprising this week to receive a letter from the Council’s Head of Asset Management and Property Services to say that the Council’s Cabinet had appointed an independent specialist to look at the viability of all the GCC’s Outdoor and Environmental Education sites. In particular she says
“It is expected that once final decisions are made then, as is the case for the South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre, it will be advertised openly for expressions of interest to come forward to ensure a clear and transparent process. Where it appears feasible, Cabinet members will welcome options that allow outdoor and environmental education activities to be maintained in the county”
It seems to mean that the closure of the centres is no longer a foregone conclusion and there is all the more reason to lobby County Councillors and others in support of retaining not just South Cerney but the full range of facilities that the county currently enjoys. Districts have recently circulated details of the ePetition in support of the centres and if you haven’t already done so you I would urge you to add your name to the thousands who have.