With reference to the call for a new school on the old Elmfield school site. Cllr Gray did not state which schools he would close, especially as, in his words ‘…not safe’! Also, I cannot recall at any point in the previous 9 year period as a councillor where he requested or canvassed residents for a new school.
However that a-side, his arguments are somewhat alarmist and incorrect especially concerning his reference to; ‘a lot of our green belt is taken for housing’ and our ‘schools……. have asbestos and this is not safe’. The previous borough council and now Durham County Council have protected and preserved the extensive green belt areas and as stated by DCC, ‘asbestos management plans are in place’, these are regularly reviewed with the schools to ensure that there is no risk to their users.
One important fact that he did not mention was the number of surplus primary school places in Newton Aycliffe, total capacity should be 2683 children, yet even by 2028-29 total capacity is predicted to be 2140 a surplus of 243, 90 of those within the West area. Therefore, there is no justification for a new school on the grounds of numbers and I am certain Head teachers would welcome a new school but again he failed to mention where the funding would come from at this time of Coalition enforced austerity.
Cllr Gray says, ‘let’s put right what’s wrong with Newton Aycliffe’ therefore, let us work together and focus on the lack of good quality social, private rented and privately built housing to accommodate our towns people and the possible new residents to support the new Hitachi factory and its support industries.
Let’s focus on jobs for our young people and let’s focus on supporting our most vulnerable in West ward and seriously consider, as Cllr Kate Hopper indicated the ‘regeneration’ of the Elmfield area with the possibility of a community facility. This would offer a place for young mothers, families, vulnerable people and pensioners alike, to provide a place to meet, get advice and support, education and training for a better future for all, therefore this area will still be used for education and housing purposes.
Cllr Eddy Adam
Aycliffe West Division
Durham County Councillor