Much of the debate in the run up to the election, in North Kingston at least, concerned the need for a new secondary school.
A highly successful parent-led campaign persuaded the council of the need for a new school, and consequently the local authority began securing the funds from central government under the Building Schools for the Future pot.
News last week from Michael Gove, the education secretary, that he has scrapped the BSF programme sent shock waves through North Kingston. So what does this mean for us?
First, it is important to note that while the funding mechanism has been axed, the funding itself has not. BSF is notoriously prescriptive, wasteful, and slow. In most cases, it involves a staggering nine design stages.
I believe the Government is right to look for a new mechanism to deliver the necessary funds, but there will undoubtedly be delays as the new funding mechanism is developed. That doesn't mean we won't be able to have a new school, open for new pupils, by 2015.
The BSF process has been unnecessarily drawn out, and council officers believe that under a more sensible system we will still be able to deliver on time, even taking into account the initial delays. However, we must now present the strongest possible case and apply maximum pressure. Without the new school there will be a shortfall of secondary places in our area of at least seven forms of entry in 2015. Failure is therefore not an option.
Michael Gove is well aware of the situation here, and I have zero doubt we will secure the funds we need. As the MP, it is my priority.
