A BIRMINGHAM City Councillor has called for a full investigation into the devastating fire at the former Hunters Hill School in Blackwell.
Coun Alex Yip spoke after the severe damage to the former school which was run by Birmingham City Council until it closed in 2021.
He expressed his sadness at the damage to the historic educational building which housed the school, recalling the opposition from local campaigners and councillors about the closure of the ‘important community asset’,
Coun Yip formally called in the council’s decision when the school closed and added the fire raised serious questions about the council’s long-term planning for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision.
“This was a building with a rich history that served generations of children and families.
“It was also a valuable public asset that should never have been allowed to fall into such a state.
“I strongly opposed the decision to close the school and warned at the time that Birmingham was reducing its own SEND capacity while spending significant sums on transport and independent specialist placements.
“The council has a duty to provide for and anticipate the future needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Picture by Marcus Mingins. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd. 2326007MMR1
He said, as well as the petition calling for an investigation into the Hunters Hill School closure, he also asked about plans to sell or repurpose the site for other uses, adding – despite these questions – little progress was made.
He asked why the building remained vacant for so long after the closure, questioned the security and maintenance measures put in place to protect the site and asked why the property was able to become vulnerable to vandalism and fire.
He also questioned how much the site had cost Birmingham City Council since September 2021 and what efforts were made to bring the building back into productive community use.
“Residents deserve transparency and accountability.
“How was a building of such historic, educational and community value allowed to stand empty for years before ultimately being destroyed by fire?
“The people of Birmingham deserve answers. We need a full account of what happened, what this has cost taxpayers, and whether opportunities were missed to preserve this important asset for future generations.”
Picture by Marcus Mingins. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
The councillor has written to Birmingham City Council requesting that the circumstances surrounding the site’s management, security and future plans be reviewed and reported publicly.
We have contacted Birmingham City Council for a response to Coun Yip’s claims and are awaiting a response.
