Shortage of primary school places

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Councillor Terry Linden

Councillor Terry Linden has raised concerns regarding a shortage of reception class places across the borough in 2011. Councillor Linden says: "Many will remember my objection to the number of places taken out of our primary schools and especially in regeneration areas."

Councillor Linden asked Council Portfolio Holder Councillor Zulf Ali to "confirm it is not only reception classes where there is a problem and the need in certain areas is now and not in 2011."

Councillor Linden said there was no mention of the problem in Councillor Ali's recent report to the Council and says in his opinion "officers are making the same mistake they made last time." He adds: "I fear the outcome."

Responding, Councillor Ali said: "The Authority had an unacceptably high number of surplus places and following a review and consultation these places were removed. He said: "This enabled the Borough to invest in five new schools and the remodelling of others.

Councillor Ali maintains that the Authority does not overall have a shortage of places in primary schools, however, he concedes the Borough has seen a big increase in the number of children born in the last three years and says: "This needs to be addressed." He added that consultation will be open in November and December on the need for additional reception class places.