PRESS RELEASE

2 September 2002

Ottaway slams cut to School's maintenance programme

Richard Ottaway, Conservative Member of Parliament for Croydon South, has written in the strongest possible terms to Cllr Hugh Malyan for making cuts in Hayes Primary School's maintenance programme. Croydon's Education Department have vetoed, at the last minute, plans to replace rotting windows at the School. This urgent repair work has been outstanding for over a year. Richard Ottaway has demanded an explanation from the Secretary of State for Education (see letter below).

Richard Ottaway says:-

"The Labour Government and Labour Council say that their priority is education, education, education. Yet, due to the complete financial incompetence of Croydon Council, all we are seeing is education cuts, education cuts, education cuts."

"To actually claim that spending on education is increasing whilst our children are sitting in rotting buildings is hypocrisy of the highest order. If this work is delayed for yet another year the problem will become worse and therefore more expensive to rectify. Furthermore, I have been informed that the contractors have already ordered the replacement windows and I imagine the Council will have to pay some form of compensation for pulling out of the contract at such short notice. I therefore fail to see how this decision can be justified as a cost-cutting measure."

"I have today written to the Secretary of State asking for an explanation as to how this could possibly happen."

Ends.

Letter to Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP, Secretary of State for Education

Dear Estelle

Hayes Primary School - repair and refurbishment programme

I write to draw your attention to cuts in the school maintenance budget in Croydon which has resulted in the cancellation of plans to replace rotting windows at Hayes Primary School. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Headteacher explaining the situation in more detail, and a copy of a response from the Leader of Croydon Council.

How can this happen? Not a day goes by without an announcement about more funding for schools. Yet, when it comes to the crunch, the money simply isn't there. I would be grateful for an explanation as to how the money you claim is being spent on primary education is meant to be working its way into the system.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely