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M'learned friends are dusting off their contract law textbooks in response to the discovery of an ancient-looking document found in a file at Camelford's Sir James Smith school. It appears to be an agreement imposing upon Cornwall Council a requirement to give a minimum of two years notice of any proposals to alter various administrative and funding obligations which have been in force since 31st July 1991. One effect would be to scupper the "Camelford Leisure Centre" budget line agreed by the council's Cabinet last week, and which is due to be considered by the full council next week. I've sent the document off to Cornwall Council and await the response...

STOP PRESS: Council statement says there was no need to consult the local school governors as, in its view, they are not parties to the agreement about termination. The council says this was to be determined exclusively between the former county and district councils (ie itself.) But in Camelford, the response is "look at Clause 11" - which does indeed state that notice must be served "to the School Governors at Sir James Smith's School, Camelford, Cornwall." Clause 13 says that "any claims, dispute or thing whatsover" - between the governors and the council(s) about any of the other clauses must be resolved by arbitration. This story has legs.