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Adam Symons News
Lib Dem backs
Countryside Alliance
Fight to keep our
rural schools open
Monday 24
February 2008
“The Countryside
Alliance is right”, says Adam Symons, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for
Torridge and West Devon. “We must fight to keep our rural schools open.”
This message was
in response to the Countryside Alliance report that indicated 219 schools with
fewer than 100 pupils, many of which are in rural areas, have shut since 1997.
The report indicated that rural school closures continue to cause problems for
parents and children in rural areas, with only 71% of rural households within 15
minutes of a primary school.
This report comes
hot on the heels of Devon County Council's announcement that Councillors are
considering allocating almost £235 million on improving and replacing schools
and facilities for children, young people and families in Devon.
Adam Symons said,
“Devon County Council is doing an amazing job in directing what little resources
they get from the Government into schooling. The report from the Countryside
Alliance is correct – we need to keep fighting for rural schools. In an area
like Torridge and West Devon, where most places are rural, we need to keep
lobbying the Government to ensure that we have the money to keep rural schools
open. Many are the lifeblood of our communities.”
“I am incredibly
proud that Devon County Council have allocated £46.4 million for a new school in
Bideford, and they have also been incredibly helpful in supporting Tavistock
College with its plans for community sports facilities. They have also allocated
£500,000 to provide additional accommodation at Holsworthy Primary School. That
is real investment for the future!”
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