Making a difference to the people of Medway

Cllr Les Wicks: Labour are more concerned with scoring points than the children's future

Letter posted on Friday, 10 July 2009

Sir, recently the Labour group have suggested that Medway Council is proposing to close schools so that money can be used “in Tory heartland areas on pet Tory projects” – but yet they provide no evidence to support such a spurious accusation.

On the contrary, there is ample evidence that the government’s Primary Capital Programme for Medway, which the Labour group has so far opposed and attempted to undermine at every turn, proposes to impartially invest in schools which are in need of refurbishment. Many of these schools are in areas that are not represented by Conservative councillors.

I would have thought that Labour councillors in Twydall would have welcomed the £1.1 million that is being proposed to improve Twydall school. I’m sure that parents, and their children attending schools in Luton, will celebrate plans to invest £6.9 million improving facilities there, even if their own Labour representatives feel differently. Perhaps the Liberals representing residents in Gillingham will join me in commending proposals for a new £3 million school at Barnsole and the improvements at Napier school.

Let’s be clear, the Labour group in Medway are not interested in the well-being of children – instead they are intent on political point scoring. In comparison, the only concern for the Conservatives on Medway Council is the long-term interests of all our children in Medway. For me, every child in Medway matters, wherever they live.

Cllr Les Wicks Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services