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Cabinet stories from meeting 24/02/2010.

Stories must be 250 words and include potential follow ups.

Story 1- Abbeydale Grange.

Decision to shut Abbeydale Grange School was passed yesterday by Sheffield city council, following a

15 month campaign to save it.

Despite acknowledging that Abbeydale Grange has a long history of education for pupils of Sheffield,

Councillor Andrew Sangar said: Abbeydale remains in special measures. This has always been the

best educational outcome. He added: 90 percent of parents have been offered their first choice

placements.

There were final protests to the closure from parents and residents of the area to the council. ParentSarah Traynor said: No young people means no community. The young people leave, the

community will die in S7.Jackie Holloway, a resident of Lansdowne Estate, said: The staff, parents

and students have behaved with complete dignity and have earned the respect of all.

Councillor Paul Scriven said: It would be wrong not to take a decision that in our hearts is hard to

take, but in our heads is the right decision to make. A community school can only turn around if the

community feel a part of it. That is not the case with Abbeydale. He statedthat although the

pastoral care is good the children are not progressing the way they should.

The School Governors objected stating that the School offers excellent pastoral care to children with

special needs and that the school is improving and will meet targets by Summer 2010. They are

expected to appeal the decision. Councillor Bob McCann said: Its their choice. They have provided

many counter attacks but its now out of our hands.

Word count: 256

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Story 2- British city of culture.

Sheffield has won a place on a four city shortlist to become Britains next City of Culture. The

announcement came yesterday for finalist cities Birmingham, Derry, Norwich and Sheffield.

Councillor Sylvia Dunkley said: This is a fantastic day for Sheffield. Weve long been known for

sporting excellence. She added: This is a testimony to the hard work of the city. My thanks go out

to the bidding team whove worked really hard over these couple of months. It just shows how

amazing Sheffield is.

The bidding team for Sheffield now has three months before final bids must be submitted at the end

of May. The winning city will stage its own arts programme but could host events such as the Turner

prize and the Brits traditionally held in London. Ben Bradshaw said: I believe we have been too

London-centric for too long in our cultural life. So this competition aims to find a city or area outside

London that has the wow factor.

The prize is to be awarded every four years, and Councillor Paul Scriven said he hoped that Sheffield

will become the first City of Culture in May. He said: This is a proud day for Sheffield and

Sheffielders."

Radio Sheffield Presenter Paulette Edwards told the BBC: The beauty of Sheffield is that it tries to

reflect the groups within it as Sheffield continues to grow and change.