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Wednesday, 15 April 2009 |
SNP MSPs Bob Doris and Anne McLaughlin have today criticised the response from Glasgow City Council to the consultation on school closures. They have called on the ruling Labour administration to give their councillors a free vote when the matter comes before the full council next Thursday.
Bob Doris commented: "This is a slap in the face for parents. Time is running out not just for families but for Labour run Glasgow City Council. Well made arguments have fallen on deaf ears.
Mr Doris praised the efforts of ‘Save Our Schools’ protesters at the ongoing peaceful occupation vigil at both St Gregorys and Wyndford Primary Schools: "The parents at these two primary schools have united their community in opposition to the proposed closures. Labour councillors must now be given a free vote on the 23rd April and not just blindly follow the Leaders’ line. Even at this late stage Glasgow City Council can reject these proposals. Such a move would not be a loss for the council but a triumph for local democracy. The fight will go on until the final decision is made next week and I will stand firmly with the protesters in the hope that the council arrives at the right conclusion.
Mr Doris welcomed the likelihood of concessions to three closure threatened facilities: "The campaigners at Shawbridge Nursery, Nithsdale Road Nursery and Ruchill Primary are to be congratulated for successfully getting their message across. The disruption that a move would have caused the children at the Ruchill Autism unit would have been simply unacceptable and I welcome that the Council has at least listened to the plea of campaigners there. They must now listen to the case being made to halt closures across the city ahead of the final vote next Thursday.
Anne McLaughlin MSP said: "I am deeply concerned that after a highly informed and vocal response from parents and communities that the council recommendations do not seem to take the essence of parents concerns into account. In response to the Victoria proposal, the Council acknowledges that nursery places in Govanhill would be lost but does not seem to make any provision for retaining them. In the Merrylee nursery class proposal the council simply reiterates its argument that an on-site teacher does not make any difference in terms of the quality of education provided. I find the recommendations offensive and consistent with the overall poor quality of this consultation."
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