Appendix 4

County Hall

Hertford, SG13 8DF

Shabir Bashir
WMS Trust (WatfordMuslimSchool Trust)
PO Box 344
Watford
WD17 3XA / Tel: / 01992 555764
Fax: / 01992 555719
E Mail:
My ref: / JJD/zw
Your ref:
Date: / 17 November 2008

Dear Shabir

Thank you for your correspondence setting out the stage reached by the Watford Muslim School Trust in its proposals to create a 1FEPrimary School in the Watford area.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you. As promised when I spoke to you over the telephone last week, I am now in a position to respond formally.

You will be aware that the proposals set out by the WMST have been discussed, albeit very briefly, at Education Panel. You will also know that at that meeting Members felt that they should wait until the formal consultation process being carried out by the WMST had been completed.

I met recently with both the Executive Member for Education and Culture and the Chair of the Cabinet Education Panel. I have advised them that the proposals are now ready to be considered by the Education Panel so that a recommendation can be given to Cabinet.

The next opportunity for the Education Panel to discuss WMST’s proposals will be at its meeting on 8thJanuary. I can confirm that officers will draft and present a report to that meeting. As part of that process, I hope you agree that it might be helpful for you and I to meet. I have asked my PA to contact you in order to find a mutually convenient date and time later in the term. I will be accompanied by Paul Wray.

Apologies, again, for the delay in getting back to you over such an important issue.

Yours sincerely

Justin Donovan

Deputy Director (Chief Education Officer)

Children, Schools & Families

Copy:Paul Wray

Simon Newland