Shropshire delegation meets Schools Minister Jim Knight

A cross-party delegation of Shropshire County Councillors and the county’s MPs have met Schools Minister Jim Knight to discuss ways of improving funding for the county’s schools.

County Council leader Malcolm Pate, along with councillors Karen Calder, Jon Tandy and Peter Phillips, travelled to London on Wednesday (30 January) to put Shropshire’s case to the minister.

Councillor Malcolm Pate said: “The meeting was useful and Mr Knight listened to what we had to say. He said there was a possibility of changing the funding formula in 2011 to take account of the sparsity issues we face in Shropshire, but he made no guarantees. We must keep working as hard as ever to provide the best possible education for children in Shropshire.”

The councillors said they felt the meeting was useful.

Councillor Peter Phillips said: “We pointed out that pupil-led funding is not an appropriate way of funding education, and in the time of falling rolls it can be very destructive.”

Councillor Jon Tandy said: “I was delighted by the positive response the minister gave. It was nice to hear him say he would work closely with Shropshire County Council to find solutions to the problems we face in the county.”

31 January 2008