Supporting our local schools - Heath councillors on council plans

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 7th Oct 2007

Working to improve education in Heath and Birchgrove: Cllrs. Jim James, Gerald Harris and Michelle Michaelis have welcomed recent proposals for Cardiff’s schools which would see local catchment areas maintained.

The Heath & Birchgrove Focus Team has welcomed recent proposals from Cardiff's Liberal Democrat council to invest in local education.

The plans would ensure that the catchment areas of the two local high schools serving our area, Llanishen High and Whitchurch High, will be kept as they are currently.

Cllr. Jim James told us: "The Liberal Democrats are passionate about supporting our local schools. At the moment, the council is wasting money on surplus places which we think could be better spent on the needs of pupils."

Residents may recall that previous proposals would have seen catchment areas changed - but the Lib Dems have taken on board the views expressed by local residents as part of the new proposals.

Cllr. Michelle Michaelis said: "We wanted to come up with a set of proposals which would have public backing. I am pleased that the concerns some of us raised have been heeded."

Unfortunately, the plans have not so far been agreed by the council's cross-party schools sub-committee because other political parties, including Labour and the Conservatives, have not yet signed up to them.

Cllr. Gerald Harris said: "I hope the other parties will be able to agree with the proposals being put forward by the Lib Dem council. The Conservatives and Labour should now work with us to agree the best deal for local pupils."