LIB DEM LEADER CONDEMNS 'FATALLY FLAWED' SCHOOLS PROPOSALS (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

LIB DEM LEADER CONDEMNS 'FATALLY FLAWED' SCHOOLS PROPOSALS

September 8, 2008 1:59 PM

Under the Kirklees Building Schools for the Future plan (report published today) a total of £200 million will be spent on schools in North Kirklees.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Kirklees Council has today expressed her condemnation of the Conservative Cabinet's plan for schools in North Kirklees.

Under the Kirklees Building Schools for the Future plan (report published today) a total of £200 million will be spent on schools in North Kirklees. Three schools and a number of sixth forms are proposed for closure. It is proposed that one new school will be built and the remaining schools will be refurbished.

Cllr Kath Pinnock, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Kirklees Council, said:

"I am utterly disappointed by these proposals which have some very serious flaws. The plans are badly thought out and fall a long way short of the Cabinet's original promise of a fair and effective approach.

"Firstly, why is the Conservative Leader's ward to have a brand new school, when everyone else only gets a refurbishment? This new build, which will not give any educational benefit, could cost up to £10 million more than any other school.

"A large number of pupils from Batley will be forced to make long journeys as a result of this decision, while the perfectly useable site of Batley Girls' school (which would cost much less to use) goes to waste. This is a very biased proposal.

"Secondly, why is Dewsbury being left without any sixth form provision? The proposal to put the new sixth form in Mirfield is a major slap in the face for the residents in Dewsbury (and Batley and Cleckheaton). It will be nigh on impossible for many students to get to Mirfield by public transport.

"I urge all residents, and particularly parents, to get fully engaged in the consultation process to highlight these serious and devastating deficiencies. As the proposals stand they pose a major threat to the future education of many young people across North Kirklees."