Buck stops with Bromley

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 9th May 2003

Local schools face cash crisis

Parent power is taking over in Bromley, prompted by a letter from School Governors to the parents of pupils at the borough's four largest primary schools. The letter outlines the cash crisis hitting the schools following this year's budget settlement.

The letter being distributed to over 3,500 parents with children at Crofton, Oak Lodge, Red Hill and Warren Road primary schools, informs parents that following cuts last year and this year the governors "have now reached the point where we can no longer present a viable budget."

Cllr Chris Maines says, "It is clear that education in these successful schools is being hit by under funding. These children only get one chance and the Council must now act now to avert a cash crisis. The issue is not whether the central Government or the local Council have failed to provide the money, it is about the way Bromley Council has chosen to allocate their budget. The buck stops with the Council."

"In Bromley both large schools and small schools have both been squeezed," claimed Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Chris Maines, "the budget fails to reflect the real needs of these schools."

Parents are being urged by the Governors of the four schools to write councillors urging them to review the situation.

"It is clear that redundancies among teachers are imminent unless the new Tory executive acts now. These schools have made cuts for the last two years and cannot continue. Bromley Council must immediately review the schools' funding." said Cllr Maines.