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2nd
February
2004 (upd. 12/2/04)
They've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two (12/2/04 Lack of consultation? See foot of article) Whether it is prudent cost cutting or mindless penny pinching depends on which side of the political fence you sit, but Dudley Council can hardly be accused of shying away from local controversy of late. Following on from recent high profile decisions to refuse additional funding to Critters Farm in Cotwall End and question the future of the Robert Street Environment Zone, the Council has now reversed a long-held policy of funding transport for children who live more than three miles from Bishop Milner School. Dudley North MP Ross Cranston told Yampy: 'I am completely baffled by Dudley Council's decision. It could cost parents £240 a year for each child, and many have three or four children at the same school. Yet the Council has had an extremely generous finance settlement from Central Government. I am writing to the Government Minister responsible for Local Government, Nick Raynsford MP, to see what might be done to prevent the Council from making cuts in so many services when their settlement has been so generous.' Mr. Cranston further explained that of 13 authorities in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, only Dudley has moved to completely abandon the free service. 12/2/04: Failure to Consult An angry Ross Cranston, MP for Dudley North, has sent us a second press release on this issue, saying: 'The more I hear about this decision by the Local Education Authority to remove the free bus service to Catholic children travelling more than three miles, the worse it gets. Now I hear that they completely failed to consult with the local schools and churches.' 'The Schools Commission of the Archdiocese of Birmingham have sent a letter to me expressing concern about the lack of consultation.' continued the MP. ' A consultation paper on School Transport issued last year did not suggest there would be any changes. They therefore believed the status quo remained in force. Because of that, they did not express a view to the Council. Bishop Milner Catholic School and St Josephs Primary School, both in Dudley North constituency, have also confirmed to me that they were not consulted either.' newsdesk@yampy.co.uk. --> |
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