Battle over super-schools



LABOUR has attacked Southport's Liberal Democrat MP John Pugh over his criticism of super-schools.

Sefton Council has announced plans for five new super-schools costing £125 million, which could lead to closures or mergers of existing schools.

Councillor Peter Dowd, Leader of Sefton Labour Group, accused the MP of interfering in things he knows nothing about.

John Pugh MP defended his stance and said the money for the new schools would have to be repaid to the government.

Cllr Dowd told The Champion: "I'm the Cabinet Member for Children's Services and I find it incredulous the comments made by Southport's MP John Pugh.

"He is rejecting millions of pounds worth of capital investment into new schools in Southport.

"I am disappointed but not surprised that John Pugh seems to have turned his nose up at investment in schools in his constituency."

Cllr Dowd believes the project could attract a further £200 million in the future and questioned why the MP would want this blocked.

He said: "In its Building Schools for the Future Programme, which is staged over the next 10 to 15 years, the Government is committed to rebuilding or refurbishing every secondary school in the country, and that includes Southport.

"If I was a parent in Southport I would be demanding to know why John Pugh seems to want to disadvantage children in his constituency. 

"For the life of me I cannot understand why a sitting Member of Parliament would want to take such a negative stance on the future of our children."

John Pugh MP told The Champion the government was simply allowing the council to borrow the money.

He said: "What Peter is forgetting is that any new school will be built with money we will all have to pay back under the terms of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

"It's not free money and its not obvious that local taxpayers would choose to spend millions precisely this way when our existing schools have capacity and are performing well.

 "At the very least any plans should have the support of Southport schools, governors, and parents

"Proposals should be put before the Southport Area Committee and the Southport public needs an honest account of the implications for the other secondary schools.

"The government's Building Schools for the Future programme has been rightly criticized for lack of proper consultation and hidden costs."





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