Thank you for your question to me under Procedural Rule 10.

You asked what plans I have to address the surplus primary school places in the Borough.

As I am sure you are aware, under the previous Labour administration a School Organisation Plan 2003 - 2008 was adopted and approved by the School Organisation Committee.

The scale of surplus places is a serious concern but not a new issue. The Cabinet is very concerned by it but only now, when not in Opposition, is the full and practical impact becoming apparent to us.

My position, and that of the whole Cabinet, is clear. We recognize the seriousness of the situation and will do all that we can to address it, including looking at the responses of other LEAs to what is a national problem.

Some solutions are evident and already included in the School Organisation Plan or have been mentioned in the last week. Pending a wider consideration of all possible options, we would not expect to undo a School Organisation Plan that was approved by the School Organisation Committee and is still in relative infancy. Besides looking at innovative solutions elsewhere, we would expect to discuss widely with headteachers, staff and parents before proposing changes to the adopted plan. We cannot prejudice such consideration and consultation by a more detailed answer to your question at this time, which I am sure you will understand and would have been your group's response.

I don't think that I need to reiterate to you what is in the 2003 - 2008 plan.