Jo Swinson slams Council over school site consultation (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

Gordon Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Jo Swinson slams Council over school site consultation

September 25, 2009 5:23 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Jo Swinson MP has criticised East Dunbartonshire Council for allowing too little time for people to submit views on a review of local schools.

East Dunbartonshire Council plans to send questionnaires to all households in East Dunbartonshire, asking for people's views on the distribution of primary schools in East Dunbartonshire. The deadline for returning the questionnaires is Friday 9th October, meaning the many families who have not yet received the questionnaires have less than two weeks for residents to fill them in. In a letter to Jo Swinson, the Council states that the survey results will "provide a robust evidence base" for reviewing the resources given to primary schools, but Jo and the Liberal Democrats say this consultation period is too short, and many people's views will not be considered as a result.

The questionnaire asks for views on the condition and suitability of school buildings, the distribution of school places across East Dunbartonshire and the equipment and other resources provided for learning. Jo Swinson is urging local people to return the questionnaires as quickly as possible.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"This review will include decisions on important matters such as whether schools are amalgamated, and I am sure that many local people, whether or not they have school-age children, will have strong opinions. The Council are not allowing anywhere near long enough to ensure that people have the opportunity to consider these issues and return their questionnaires, especially with postal strikes happening at the moment."