07/03/07 - Extra School Places Secured

At last night'smeeting, the Cabinet agreed to the recommendations instigated by Cllr David Renard,(Conservative, Haydon Wick Ward)to provide an additional 26 places at both Catherine Wayte and Abbey Meads primary schools.

The recommendations were:

• To approve the admission of an additional 26 pupils above the admission number to Abbey Meads and Catherine Wayte Primary Schools in September 2007 for a temporary period of one year
• Note the moving demand for primary school places for September 2007 and that longer-term action is being investigated.

David also moved an addition to the second point requesting that officers bring a report back to Cabinet detailing how they recommend that the pressure on places in the Northern Sectorin future years be dealt with and that this report should be brought to Cabinetprior to the close of applications for September 2008 intake. This was accepted by Cabinet.

David said "I am delighted that Cabinet recognised the need for these places in the Haydon Wick and Abbey Meads Wards and that there was enormous support from local parents for this expansion of places. I appreciate that managing the volotile shifts in need for school places is difficult but I am determined to ensure that as many parents as possible in our Ward get the places they want within their communities."

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "We were delighted to support these essential plans, and it is great news for local parents that these places have been secured."