LIB DEMS CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NEW SCHOOL
January 3, 2006 8:43 PM
Members of the Rutland & Melton Liberal Democrats met with the 4 Lib Dem County Councillors on Tuesday 3 January to discuss the proposed new school for Uppingham.
Uppingham councillor Marc Oxley said, "This is an unprecedented opportunity to ensure that the children of Uppingham continue to receive a first class education in state of the art facilities. But we must be sure we get it right for the sake of future generations of Uppingham children."
Generally, members were concerned that the 3 bids had to be put together too hastily to meet unrealistic deadlines and that the government is allowing no flexibility in how or where the money is to be spent. This is government by central diktat, not local democracy.
Though there is significant opposition to the proposal, the Lib Dems believe that there would be considerable merit in not rejecting it outright at this stage.
The dilemma for the council is that if the capital funding for a new school in Uppingham is rejected, the chances of funding later improvements for both schools are likely to be slim and may jeopardize future proposals in Rutland.
However, before the final decision is taken much more information is needed. We need firm proposals on fundamentals such as the whereabouts of the site, class sizes and extra facilities and we need to know details such as medium and long term expenditure on the present schools if there is no new build.
Some thoughts -
Due to the lack of social housing in and around Uppingham the number of primary aged children is decreasing as couples buy houses in cheaper areas such as Corby. So perhaps combining the two schools makes sense especially if the government is providing much of the money.
Maybe it would be better to spread the money around the schools in Rutland as a whole but the government is not allowing us to have that option. Three proposals were sent and Uppingham was selected.
Perhaps there will be some disruption for the families of children currently at the schools and that should be taken into consideration but by the time the new school is built it would benefit the children of the future.
The government wants more facilities at schools such as libraries, creches, after school clubs etc which would be of benefit to mothers who work.
The government forced us into making hurried decisions without proper time for local consultation.
What would you like to do next?
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