COUNTY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS URGE CHELTENHAM PARENTS TO GET IN TOUCH (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

COUNTY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS URGE CHELTENHAM PARENTS TO GET IN TOUCH

March 21, 2007 9:35 PM

Cheltenham's Liberal Democrat County Councillors are urging the parents of children allocated school places outside the borough to get in touch. Cheltenham's four Liberal Democrat County Councillors are eager to assist and advise any parents who feel they need help throughout the school admissions process.

Earlier this month, 92 children in Cheltenham were allocated spaces outside the borough causing considerable distress among parents and pupils. The admission process is not yet complete, and Cheltenham's Liberal Democrat County Councillors are urging parents to contact them for assistance.

Cheltenham Liberal Democrat Cllr Suzanne Williams said: "As a parent myself, I can completely understand how distressing this must be for those parents who have been told they must send their children a long way from home every day just to go to school. This situation was foreseeable and it is a disgrace that the Tory administration has allowed it to arise. Parents across the borough have been put through unnecessary distress by this example of Tory incompetence."

Liberal Democrat Cllr Charmian Sheppard, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, said: "I am extremely worried that the admissions system will fail these parents and children. However, the process is not yet complete and the Cheltenham Liberal Democrat County Councillors are eager to do what we can to help. We can advise on the admissions procedure and ultimately we can support parents if and when they wish to make an appeal against a County Council decision. As councillors we are here to do all we can to help at times like these, and the Liberal Democrat members for Cheltenham are more than ready to do just that. I would urge any parent who has concerns about this matter to contact us as soon as possible to see if we can help."

The Cheltenham Liberal Democrat members of Gloucestershire County Council are listed below with their contact details:

Cllr Charmian Sheppard, St Marks, St Pauls and St Peters: 01242 513078

charmian.sheppard@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Cllr Mike Skinner, St Marks, St Pauls and St Peters: 01242 513814

mike.skinner@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Cllr Simon Wheeler, Hesters Way & Up Hatherley: 01242 705943

simon.wheeler@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Cllr Suzanne Williams, Springbank: 01242 230648

suzanne.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk