Lib Dems respond to Failure of Loughborough BSF bid

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Simon Galton has expressed his surprise at the failed bid for Building Schools for the Future money. The money was intended to support a massive reorganisation of schools in Loughborough and the surrounding areas.

Simon Galton said: "I am fairly surprised that we didn't get this money, although I appreciate that the proposals were fairly controversial locally, I think it is quite telling that we weren't even close to getting the money. My concern is why the Council failed and I will be writing to the DCSF to ask about the selection process.

We need to understand the long term implications for the rest of the County, in relation to secondary school reorganisation. If 'Plan B' is simply to squeeze current pupils into existing unsuitable buildings, we may have to question whether this would produce real results and benefits for 11-16 education.

As the BSF bid has failed, and there are doubts about future funds being available, it may well be a good idea to review the whole policy of secondary school reorganisation."