Author: Standards-Not-Tiers
Steve Beynon: Standards Not Tiers Response
Friday, 11th July, 2008 at 5:16 pm, Isle of Wight
We asked Standards Not Tiers for their response to the news that Steve Beynon has accepted the position as Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight Council. Ed
Standards Not Tiers is not surprised that Mr Beynon has decided to move out of Children’s Services to take up the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Isle of Wight Council.
We believe that current education reforms, seemingly introduced on a whim by David Pugh at the last moment on the 19th March, were not what he had expected to be working on when he came to the Island and they bear little resemblance to any of the options that he came up with in the most recent round of proposals.
Having already committed to Patrick Joyce’s option one in 2007 he now finds himself in the potentially embarrassing situation of having to justify a plan that is completely the reverse of what he was justifying only a year ago.
We expected him to resign following the turnaround on the 19th March.
Now though, so late in the day and at such a crucial time in the reorganisation, Mr Beynon’s resignation from his post as the lead officer on education is extraordinary and indicates deep divisions between him and his political masters who we think are trying to pacify a capable and professional officer who has become a casualty of their political ineptitude.
For the Authority to now have to find a suitable replacement for Mr Beynon right in the middle of a reorganisation that many feel is completely beyond the Authority’s capability, beggars belief.
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July 11th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Interesting appointment, which I think will lead to a greater commitment by the whole Council to seeing through the reforms.
However this could also mean that should the elections go against the Tories next year (outright defeat to NOC), Steve Beynon will follow the well worn exit path for the IWC Chief Executives.
Any ideas on the level of salary he will now receive?
July 11th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
£150k
July 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
However we have saved the relocation costs this time!!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
@ EG - not really - not sure is this is true or not, but from what I heard, he doesn’t live on the Wight. Neither does his family.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I am sure he will eventualy move to the Island - Ventnor, I hope! I know Joe Duckworth has his knockers, but since he purchased a property in Ventnor the town has seen huge improvements to the local area - coincidence, I think not. Thank you Joe and welcome to Steve.
Gwen
July 11th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Gwen, are you serious?
You really think Joe Duckworth moving to Ventnor resulted in these ‘huge improvements to the local area’?!
July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I think the changes to the local area are down to the residents, businesses and the good work of Rob Reed, Town Centre Manager. Joe’s little bolt hole now has a ‘Let By’ sign outside it, so don’t think we’ll be seeing him again soon.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
His family don’t live here, but i believe he has a ‘week day ‘ home - I wonder if his promotion will mean he moves his family to the island- hmmm! - I doubt it.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Wouldn’t that mean his children (assuming they’re school age) would have to be educated here?
Still, I suppose £150k should be enough for boarding school…
July 12th, 2008 at 9:23 am
You highlight a very interesting (and serious) point, James.
Will the new Chief Executive trust the ‘reorganising’ Island state system with the education of his children? After all, it will be years and years before this enormous project is anywhere near completion.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
“years and years before this enormous project is anywhere near completion”
One of the reasons (as I’m sure you know) that I’m so cross about it! What we’ve got might not be perfect, but changing it root and branch will definitely make it worse for years.
There are thousands of children in the system, including one of mine, who will be adversely affected. That game is not worth any candle the LA can offer…
July 14th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
He does not have school age children so he shouldn’t be too bothered.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I guess he has that in common with all of the ‘prime movers’ in the proposed reorganisation then. Interesting, that.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I seem to recall Alan Wells’ daughter writing an article in his defence in the CP a while back. I think she’s through the school system, which, curiously, seemed to have served her quite well…