Thursday, July 8, 2010

School Funding cuts and more

School Funding Cuts
At least 6 planned school rebuilding projects in Walsall have been stopped and 3 more are under discussion.

The Government put a halt to the schemes yesterday when it announced major funding cuts for education, part of the whole plan to cut the country's spending deficit and debt.

Originally Labour had committed £55 Billion across the country for refurbs and rebuilds.

At least 700 schools are now affected, in Walsall they are:

Grace Academy, Darlaston

Shelfield Community Academy

Alumwell Business and Enterprise College

Frank F Harrison

Joseph Leckie Technology College

Pool Hayes Arts and Community College

Shire Oak Science College

The Streetly Sports College

Walsall UTC

I expect that the primary school programme to upgrade many primary schools will now also be cut for schools such as Christchurch on Harden Road.
In Sandwell it is even worse with the announcement that their school programme was safe only to hear the Minister apologise and said he got it wrong and their programme is cancelled also.
Along with the cuts of around £50 million being looked at by Walsall Tory Council on top of the £5 Million last year on social services and another £6 million extra this year.
In the Labour group of Councillors we shall be trying to highlight damage to front line services and plead for mitigation as much as possible.. that is if they will listen!!
This Council also faces a £50 million bill for equal pay with a large number of currrent tribunals challenging cases by employees.

regards
Cllr Ian Robertson
Blakenall Ward