Sutton Lib Dem Leaders Fight For Schools Cash

8.58.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th May 2009

Senior Lib Dem politicians from Sutton have taken their concerns about growing pressure on primary school places in the borough direct to the government.

Sutton Council's education boss, Cllr Tony Brett Young, joined local Lib Dem MPs, Paul Burstow and Tom Brake, to meet Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, the government minister with responsibility for primary places. They pressed the minister to address a growing shortfall in funding for the provision of primary school places.

A sudden increase in the birth rate, and fewer families leaving the borough, mean that the council has to provide more classes in the borough's primary schools. The problem has been made worse by poor-quality population data provided by the Greater London Authority and the Office for National Statistics.

The Sutton delegation set out the urgent need for extra funding for Sutton, and told the Minister that unless there was more money by 2011 as many as 270 children could be without a primary school place, with the number rising to nearly 340 the following school year.

Tony Brett Young said:

"We're opening three extra classes this year to meet the new demand, but it is clear that we will have to open many more in years to come.

"The same is happening in surrounding boroughs, as people are extending their homes rather than moving on as they have done in the past. Sutton is under particular pressure because we have been very efficient in keeping spare places to a minimum, as required by the government.

"The Minister gave us a fair hearing, and it is obvious the government is now aware of the problem. There is an urgent need for them to reflect this in government funding. We will continue to fight for more money to provide suitable places for our children."

Speaking afterwards Paul Burstow MP, who organised the meeting said:

"Sutton's primary schools are at capacity; and the situation is set to get worse. School renovations and improvements are now on hold because money must be found to provide more places; but this cannot go on forever.'

"I'm encouraged that the Minister is taking our situation seriously but it needs to provide the cash, otherwise it is putting the future of hundreds of the borough's children at risk."

Tom Brake also commented:

'The Minister said she liked our simple presentation of the facts. We look forward to her simple response. All she has to do is give Sutton the funding needed to satisfy the demand for extra primary school classrooms, caused by higher birth rate and more families wanting their children to stay in Sutton's schools.'