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Tom BrakeLiberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington |
Sutton's Lib Dem Leaders Fight for Schools Cash
June 15, 2009 9:56 AM
Last month, senior Lib Dem politicians from Sutton took their concerns about the growing pressure on primary school places in the borough direct to the government.
Sutton Council's education boss, Cllr Tony Brett Young, joined local Lib Dem MPs, Tom Brake and Paul Burstow, to meet Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, the government Minister with responsibility for primary places. They pressed the Minister to address a growing shortfall in funding for the provision of primary school places.
A sudden increase in the birth rate, and fewer families leaving the borough, mean that the council has to provide more classes in the borough's primary schools. The problem has been made worse by poor-quality population data provided by the Greater London Authority and the Office for National Statistics.
The Sutton delegation set out the urgent need for extra funding for Sutton, and told the Minister that unless there was more money by 2011 as many as 270 children could be without a primary school place, with the number rising to nearly 340 the following school year.
Tom Brake MP for Carshalton and Wallington said, "We are rightly proud of our primary schools in Sutton. So we must do all we can to ensure every Sutton child gets a place in one! The Government must respond positively to a unique set of circumstances which has left school places under severe pressure here in Sutton."
Councillor Tony Brett Young said: "We're opening three extra classes this year to meet the new demand, but it is clear that we will have to open many more in years to come.
"The same is happening in surrounding boroughs, as people are extending their homes rather than moving on as they have done in the past. Sutton is under particular pressure because we have been very efficient in keeping spare places to a minimum, as required by the government.
"The Minister gave us a fair hearing, and it is obvious the government is now aware of the problem. There is an urgent need for them to reflect this in government funding. We will continue to fight for more money to provide suitable places for our children."
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