Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hexham, Andrew Duffield, has slammed Northumberland's Labour Administration for its cavalier attitude towards the County's Middle Schools - and now its roads as well.

In the wake of its second disastrous failure to secure "Building Schools for the Future" money from Government, the Labour controlled County Council is now proposing to slash investment in other vital services by as much as £10 million in order to fund its ill-judged education reforms. 

Hardest hit is likely to be the investment desparately needed for Northumberland's rapidly deteriorating road network - already badly underfunded for many years. Andrew Duffield, a Liberal Democrat County Councillor himself, said:

“This proposal is nothing less than Highway Robbery - robbing Pete the Potholer to pay Two-Tier Paul. It is loony-left Labour politics all over again.

“The financial implications of Labour’s plans are severe and may mean council tax hikes, cuts in services and job losses among staff. Unfortunately, the Tories seem content to impose 2-tier schooling come-what-may as well.

“Liberal Democrats believe in meeting local needs and aspirations as far as possible, and will work with communities to achieve the best outcome in terms of educational provision for our children.

"A future Lib Dem County Council will review plans for school reorganisation where there is strong local demand or particular circumstances and ensure that any reforms are consistent with local needs and priorities.

“I demand that the Secretary of State honour his Government’s pledge to ‘Education, Education, Education.’ Our children, no less than others in Britain, are entitled to a properly funded, first-class education service.”

ENDS 

For information:  

The Lib Dem group on Northumberland County Council has agreed the statement set out below.

Putting the Learner First – A Liberal Democrat Response

1.      We reject the 'one size fits all' approach that appears to dominate these proposals, and call upon the County Council leadership to ensure that final plans reflect local needs and circumstances over administrative convenience. Schools, parents and pupils should be given the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process, with full unbiased information on all options.

2.      The issue of surplus places and crumbling school buildings is not new, and it is the failure of successive Conservative and Labour Administrations to adequately fund education that has led to today’s crisis.

3.      We regret the confusion that is caused by linking separate issues into one by the current Building Schools for the Future (BSF) bid proposals. Issues include surplus places, old school buildings, raising educational standards and a preferred system of education provision (that is, 2 or 3 tier.)

4.      We note the answer given to Alan Beith MP in the House of Commons when it was confirmed that BSF money is not dependant on switching to a 2 tier system, and that Middle schools would still be eligible for improvement funds.

5.      We note the very real concerns of parents with children who will be affected by the proposed changes, and regret that, to date, they feel ignored and let down by the consultations with the County Council.

6.      We regret the uncertainty and disruption these proposals are already causing to pupils, parents and staff. We call for close monitoring of standards and an improvement in school support from the Education Authority. This will ensure that pupil welfare, educational achievement, and staff morale does not suffer during any proposed changes to school organisation.

7.      We note with grave concern the recent reports that there will be a shortfall in the BSF money provided by the government, and call upon the Secretary of State to honour his government's commitment to education by properly funding quality schools for our children.

A future Liberal Democrat led County Council will respect and respond to parents’ views, in order to ensure that any educational reform is consistent with local needs and priorities.

10 December 2004