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107. During the year notice was received of the intention of
the London County Council to acquire property at
the corner of St. Ann's Hill and Allfarthing Lane,
Fairfield, as a site for a new public elementary school; and the
Managers of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Boys' School, St.
Alphonsus Road, Clapham, gave notice of their proposal to enlarge
the school by providing additional accommodation for about 120
children. The Borough Council did not offer any objection to
either of these proposals.
New Schools.
108. The County Council has also found it necessary to erect
a new school at Balham, and selected property in Byrne Road and
Cornford Grove as a site for the school. There was considerable
opposition to this site, and the County Council eventually decided
not to proceed with the acquisition thereof, but to purchase the
premises Nos. 191, 193 and 195, Balham High Road. The latter site
adjoins premises acquired by this Council as a site for public baths,
and the County Council approached this Council with a view to
an exchange of lands, allowance being made for the respective
differences in value. This would have enabled the baths to be erected
on the main road, and the school at the rear. This Council, however,
did not entertain the proposed exchange as it would have involved
them in considerable additional expenditure. A deputation waited
upon the Borough Council in opposition to the Balham High Road
site, and after considering the representations made, the County
Council were requested to receive a deputation from the Borough
Council with reference to the approaches and exits to and from
the proposed school. It was also pointed out to the County Council
that a site on the County Council's own land in Marius Road would
be more suitable than any site previously suggested.
109. The subject of the limited powers and duties of school
managers has again received consideration, together
with resolutions passed by several of the other
Borough Councils, and communications have been addressed to
the County Council in favour of additional powers being granted.
The Council was informed in reply that the appropriate Committee
of the County Council regretted that they were not able to recommend
any alteration in the duties at present.
Powers and duties
of Managers.