PRIMARY SCHOOL REVIEW 'IN RUINS' AS
GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDS CASH!
Bristol Tory Leader Councillor Richard Eddy has slammed the city's “botched” Primary School Review following the news that the Labour-run Authority has failed to secure £12 million funding for the scheme.
The Department for Children, Schools & Families (DCSF) has announced that Bristol is one of 15 local authorities nationwide which must carry out further work on their primary school strategies before the Government will release any money.
Conservative Councillors have already put the City's planned Primary School strategy on-hold, by “calling-in” the Cabinet's decision to press ahead with their controversial proposals, which include the closure of three popular primary schools.|
A sub-committee of scrutiny Members - due to meet next Tuesday - will now determine whether or not to refer the Primary Review on to Full Council for further debate in the light of the latest development.
Cllr Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: “The response from the DCSF demonstrates - as the Conservative Group has always argued - that Bristol's Primary Review was fundamentally flawed from the outset.
“Contrary to the requirements of the Secretary of State, the Authority's proposals will destroy choice and limit diversity of provision. The policy has clearly been the product of muddled thinking.
“Any confidence that parents and pupils may have had in the Labour Administration has proved to be practically worthless judging by this announcement.
“If the Council fails to secure this vital funding, it will leave the Primary Review Strategy in ruins.
“Councillor Hammond and his Cabinet colleagues need to show some humility and recognise the mistakes made in the botched review process. They must seize this opportunity to work with outside professionals to develop a truly robust and acceptable Primary Review Strategy.
“The revised model must command cross-party support and look again at the planned closures of St George's, St Pius X and Stockwood Green Primary.”
The decision to close St George Primary, St Pius X Primary and Stockwood Green School will now be considered at a meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny "Call-in" Sub-Committee, at a time yet to be arranged.
