Priest castigates Lib Dem Cabinet over school places

Father Paul Daly

The Lib Dem Cabinet of Rochdale Council has been taken to task by a Heywood based Catholic Priest over its decision to reduce the number of places available in the new Heywood joint Roman Catholic/Church of England School in Heywood. Father Paul Daly of Saint Joseph's, Heywood said the Cabinet's decision undermines faith-based secondary education in Heywood while local Lib Dems "bask in the glory of being pioneers in the first RC/CE College in the county".

Father Daly explained that the Lib Dem Cabinet vote, unanimously, to reduce the new school numbers by 150 places, thus saving money, narrows choice for Heywood children. He asks where is the outcry from Heywood Lib Dem councillors? Where was the consultation before the vote? He said it seems to him that "the Lib Dems have realised that they won't win another seat in Heywood and are leaving us out once again"!

Father Daly went on to say: "What puzzles me is the desire to consult before the last elections, when Lib Dem gains in Heywood were forecast and proved to be true, and the Cabinet's arrogance in voting unanimously now to lower the number - subject, they say, to consultation after the decision was made, sound like the Rochdale A amp; E fiasco anyone? It seems clear that consulation for the education committee is exactly the same as consultation for Labour Health Secretaries. We do it when votes are likely; when we don't need your votes any more, we don't want to hear from you.

"It is also worth pointing out that one of the Cabinet members, Councillor Wera Hobhouse, who voted for a denial for 30 children per year to have the chance of a faith-based secondary education at this level in Heywood is hoping to stand for this constituency at the next election and another is her husband. Did they ask any questions about the recommendation before voting? Did the member for children, schools and families? Did the member for adult social services?"