Page 3 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.i-way.co.ukl-.swindonlink The Link Magazine • April 1998 3
Council leader says schools are getting more

Sue Bates, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, reacts to the views of headteachers made on this page in the March Link.
In response to the headteachers extra £3.7 million and more be- grant maintained schools and the
who suggested the public had been sides in support of rising pupil local authority schools and one can
misled over the levels of funding numbers, teachers' salary increases only hope that the new funding
going into schools in the March and inflation was a matter of cel- rules which the Government is
Link, I would like to correct the ebration for headteachers and currently considering will remove
misleading view that was ex- schools, given the very difficult these differences as soon as possi-
pressed. decisions the Council had to make ble.
In 1998/99 Swindon Borough in other areas of service this year. The Government is committed
Council will be spending Swindon Borough Council is in to education and, together with
£63,198,000 on its education serv- fact spending less on the Advisory this Council will commit resources
ices. This is £4.6 million more be- and Inspection Service next year to ensure education standards are
ing spent on schools than was spent than currently and will still have raised.
in 1997/98. This additional to meet the new requirements
amount includes an extra £900,000 Sue Bates which the Government has placed
made available to take account of on local education authorities. The LOOSE ENDS
the rise in pupil numbers, which is The Labour Government has Borough Council is committed to
the equivalent of 34 full time teach- made available an extra £2.3 bil- raising standards of achievement We have two large
ers. lion for schools, with £1.3 billion within schools. The Advisory and barns full of top
Secondary schools in Swindon for improving school buildings. Inspection Service will need to be quality furnishing
have been funded at a level con- That extra money has come de- expanded to take account of this, fabrics (often more
sistent with other authorities and spite its commitment to stick to the but it was considered important than 50 metres) which
if new resources were to become straitjacket of the last Govern- that as much resource as possible
available to the Education Com- ment's departmental spending was funnelled into schools for are the ends of ranges.
mittee, members have made it clear plans. 1998/99. Also wallpapers. All are from
that addressing the imbalance in I would have thought the Coun- The headteachers were, how- leading manufacturers at
funding to primary schools would cil's commitment to having passed ever, accurate in describing the greatly reduced prices.
be a major priority. on to schools the Government's inequity which exists between the ii'izy not come and see us?
Sue Cutciffe. Giles Green,
Success for road crossing campaign Brinkworth, Nr Chippenham.
Tel: 01666 510685
Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 1pm
Swindon Council's transportation committee has at last agreed to install a pelican crossing on Whitehill
Way, 18 months after the death of twelve year old Ashley Johnson from Toothill.
His mother Diane, who lives at ous for pedestrians," said Diane. "I CYCLE REPAIRS
Longthorpe Close, has campaign- feel relief that I don't have to cam-
ed for a safe crossing point since paign for the crossing anymore. 'WE COME TO YOU'
Ashley died in the John Radcliffe Yet I don't want it to be a memorial Orn * Free collection
Hospital on 4 October 1996. He to Ashley; it's too late for him. His & delivery
was knocked down running across death showed that Whitehill Way * No call out
the road to the Shaw Ridge Leisure is dangerous to pedestrians; I just charge
Park on 28 September. don't want anybody else to go BIKE * No job too
A 6,231 name petition was pre- through what I have. DOCTOR
small
sented to the Mayor of Thames- "I'd like to thank all those who
down Maureen Caton on 19 De- signed the petition and everybody
cember 1996, Ashley's thirteenth who has given me support. * New cycles
birthday if he had lived. "Ashley is still with me inspirit, * Slightly marked cycles:
"I'm pleased that Swindon rec- but it's sometimes hard to get up to 50% off
ognises Whitehill Way as danger- through the day without him." * Used cycles (with warranty)
For a fast, friendly service, call
Diane Johnson at the point where Phil Mitchell on 874873 day or eve.
An/fif M* Way or 0850 650956 (mobile)
Ashley was knocked down on Whitehill

Published by Copy date for May
West Swindon Publications edition: 11 April
13 Castle Dore
Published: 25 April
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