County Council underspends its budget by £10 million, yet still seeks cuts - why axe transport to faith schools?

7.31.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

NEWS

from Liberal Democrat County Councillors

Hertfordshire County Council has underspent its 2005/2006 budget by £10.7 million - including £4.7 million in the giant Children's Schools and Families Department - according to papers seen by Hertfordshire's Tory only Cabinet today.

Liberal Democrat Leader Chris White commented: 'There is already huge anger amongst the public about the management of Hertfordshire's CSF department. Parents and churches angry over the assault on free school transport to faith schools will have noted that the underspend this year in CSF is greater than the maximum conceivable savings made by the county council's current proposals.

'Clearly the county council and its CSF department do not need to save any money on faith school transport. The proposal is sheer discrimination.'

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Rob Prowse said, 'The Tories plead poverty to justify the cuts in faith school transport. It is clear any savings won't be spent on education but used to subsidise other unspecified services. This shows that these proposals have not been thought through properly.'

ENDS

Contacts: Chris White Tel: 01727 845300

Rob Prowse Tel: 01727 827258