If you have children or grandchildren at school, you need to know something. Schools funding is being cut in real terms, and by 2020 the government will be spending £3bn less in schools than it does now. What does this mean for our children? Bigger classes, fewer teaching and support staff, less equipment. Less fun, less opportunity to excel, less support, lower achievement. Is this what we want for our kids?
The Liberal Democrats won a by-election in Richmond Park last night, sending their newest MP Sarah Olney to the Houses of Parliament. The result was a shock to the establishment, with former Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith losing the seat. Zac Goldsmith previously held the seat with a majority of over 23,000 votes, but lost last night by 1,872 votes. Mr Goldsmith was a staunch supporter of Brexit.
Shropshire Council have recently consulted on their strategy for leisure facilities in the County. Swimming provision is under threat, with withdrawal of funding from SpaRC in Bishops Caslte and a pool in Church Stretton on the cards. The Strategy is dismissive of our Quarry Pool in Shrewsbury, saying it is not fit for purpose, and promotes the idea of having the swimming pool together with a modern multi-facility. There no doubt they mean Sundorne Sports Village. Hannah Fraser's response to the consultation is below:
Shropshire and Shrewsbury Town Councillor Hannah Fraser has been selected to contest the next General Election for the Liberal Democrats.The selection was made to ensure that there is a candidate in place in the event of a snap election before the spring. Speaking at the recent selection meeting Hannah pledged to stand up for Shrewsbury, saying
I didn't immediately realise the significance of what had happened. It was at the full Shropshire Council meeting of 25th February. There had been some discussion about Councillors' allowances. Amidst calls for the allowances to be reduced, or scrapped, or at least re-evaulated, the new Conservative Leader of Council declared that he used to earn over £100,000 a year, and the allowances were, frankly, a pittance. Particularly as 'gone are the days' when a Councillor could claim an allowance and do far less work! Well, Councillors receive a basic allowance of £11,514 per year. Portfolio holders receive an additional £11,514 per year, and the Leader receives a total of £34,542 per year. I leave it to you to decide whether this is a pittance.
