This afternoon I attended the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee meeting, which unusually was all wrapped up in an hour or so due to one large agenda item being postponed to a future meeting. We did however discuss the current Youth Service provision across the City, which allowed me to bring up the Walkden library site.
From the Civic Centre I had to dash to Mesne Lea Primary School for a Governing Body meeting. I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to serve as Chair of Governors for a second year – a huge privilege and responsibility. Mesne Lea is actually my mother’s old Primary School, so I’ve managed to keep up the family connection even though I went to James Brindley Primary School as a child myself.
The consultation period for the slightly revised BSF proposals for the Roman Catholic sector has now opened. The Labour Council still intend to close St George’s RC High School in Walkden as part of their plans.
My view on the future of St George’s has not changed from day one. It is an excellent school at the heart of the local community and it should not be closed. It is vitally important that local residents contribute to the consultation process and let the Council know what they think. Details are as follows:
The consultation period runs from 10 November until 19 December 2008.
There are several ways to have your say:
WRITE TO: Kathryn Mildenstein, Minerva House, Pendlebury Road, Swinton, M27 4EQ.
FAX TO: 0161 728 6069
E-MAIL TO: kathryn.mildenstein@salford.gov.uk
GO ONLINE: http://www.salford.gov.uk/schoolconsultation
There is also a community drop-in consultation event on Wednesday 26 November, 5.00pm – 7.30pm at Fletcher Hall, Vicarage Road, Swinton, M27 OWA. Contact Paula Flynn on 0161 778 0447 by Friday 21 November to book a 15 minute appointment that is convenient for you.
Make sure you have your say!
Labour Still Campaigning At Your Expense
Last month, I wrote a post on this website about misuse of taxpayer-funded communications expenditure. Today another Labour MP has fallen foul of the rules – step forward Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, who has been fined £500 for misuing her Parliamentary expenses:
Ms Taylor joins Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly and Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle Mark Hunter in an even-growing hall of shame. Dari Taylor’s seat of Stockton South is marginal and voters there will have to choose between a Labour MP who misuses taxpayers’ money and the excellent local Conservative candidate James Wharton.
Meanwhile over at PoliticalBetting, Nick Palmer – who is Labour MP for Broxtowe – acknowledges the electoral benefits for himself of the communications allowance. Shameless – scrap this propaganda on the rates now.