Central Beds Children's Educational Futures at Risk?

6.35.00pm GMT Sun 21st Feb 2010

LibDem councillors are demanding that the Central Beds Council deal democratically with the issue of charging parents whose children go to faith schools, for their transport.

The cash-strapped council is seeking to save money on public transport, by cutting funding for children going to faith schools.

Parents who have contacted councillors are angry that the consultation period has been a mere 6 weeks, instead of the stipulated 12. Lib Dem Central Beds councillors say 'we are working hard to democratise the processes of this council. The voices of the public have a right to be heard - and fully taken into account'.

Two bishops have already written to clarify the position of such schools. Without them, the council would have to provide places in its own schools, at a financial cost.

The Bill of Human Rights states that parents have the right to have their children educated in the environment of their religion.

This Tory-run council claims that it will give its children the best start in life: yet this hasty proposal will damage those children whose parents cannot afford to pay, and who must therefore change schools, at different, and difficult, stages in their educational lives. If such children then have to take places in their nearest school, others, from outside the catchment area, may have to be evicted from that school. There are no winners, in this situation - except the cash-strapped council.

'Residents' views are at the heart of everything we do' - says the CBC Comprehensive Engagement Strategy - prove it, say the residents!

Cllr Alison Graham

Mid Beds Lib Dems