Lib Dems call for 'all-party' decisions on the running of new schools

11.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd May 2008

Cllr Brian Hoare, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Northants County Council

Lib Dem Leader Councillor Brian Hoare is calling on Northamptonshire County Council to set up an all-party panel to decide as to who should be running the new schools that will be built in the county.

Under new government legislation county councils are no longer allowed to set up and run new schools, instead there is a competitive bidding process whereby different organisations can bid to run new schools. In Northamptonshire the County Council has decided to set up a panel of three Conservative cabinet members to decide on the bids received and make those decisions.

The County Council are currently considering bids for the new Priors Hall Primary School at Corby. Cllr. Hoare is calling for the decision to be made with the involvement of all the political parties, not just the Conservative cabinet members.

Councillor Brian Hoare says: "There are in the region of 40 new schools planned over the next twenty or so years to cope with the planned growth of Northamptonshire. It is not right that only three cabinet members of one political party should be making these decisions. Councillors from all three political parties should be involved."

END.

This issue was discussed at the NCC Cabinet Meeting of 20th. May Agenda Item:C2.