The Liberal Democrat spokesperson on children, schools and families in the Lords, Baroness Walmsley, has criticised Shropshire’s schools policy.
She asserted that education should be the top priority for the new council after June 4 elections. The former ruling Conservative administration’s policy on closing primary schools has not been abandoned but shelved temporarily, she said.
“Shropshire and neighbouring Tory Hereford – are unique nationally in their proposals for mass closure of primary schools,” said Lady Walmsley. “While the independent commission is to be welcomed, the schools issue will be the first and greatest matter in the new council’s in-tray on June 5.
“The proposals are vandalism of an unprecedented and monumental scale. Clearly, a commission should have met before developing a new policy – not after it had met public revolt! And to isolate the primary sector made no sense at all.
“There clearly are issues with Shropshire’s level of government funding, it receives only enough to place it in the bottom five (of the counties’ funding table).
But, while there can be no blank cheque, it is extraordinary that the Conservatives have not considered education a priority for unitary Council support.”
Simon Alton, the spokesman for the Shropshire Council said: “It would be inappropriate for us to make a comment on the Baroness’ remarks as we are at present in the period leading to the elections for county councillors.”
