LEOMINSTER MP Bill Wiggin says he is furious about Herefordshire Council's schools review Mr Wiggin is seeking a meeting with the schools minister to raise concerns over Government policy towards education in rural areas and the low funding settlement for schools in Herefordshire.

He said: "This review is a consultation - I am very angry at the way this has been announced. It is the Government's fault that so many people are worried about their schools, but people are not aware that this review is council officers' suggestion and is not a political decision. Nor has the decision to follow these plans been accepted, and I hope it won't be.

"Despite receiving the third lowest funding settlement in the country, our schools still manage to deliver a first class education for young people in Herefordshire and any future changes must put the educational needs of pupils first. It is very disappointing that the Government's agenda is behind these proposals and it is essential that the needs of local pupils are put above the convenience of bureaucrats.

"Schools in rural areas are very valuable to a local community and closures must be avoided whenever possible. If Herefordshire was funded at the average unitary council of £4,016 then we would receive an extra £329 per pupil worth £7.5 million more (based on 22,914 pupils/children).

"No Decision has been taken to implement these suggestions and it is very wrong to frighten teachers, parents and pupils about their future.

"I am angry that it was not made clearer that the proposals are open for consultation, it has been made to look as though there are no other options and the officers of the council should have known that this type of inflammatory announcement would be spun by political opponents trying to score political points.

"Obviously schools which do not have pupil numbers cannot support teachers and without demand in certain areas, schools could close as no local authority could justify denying assets to schools with good recruitment. However this is not the case here and the solutions suggested are theoretical.

"I urge people who have genuine concerns to ensure that they get their facts right. This is the most important part of our defence. We cannot argue on emotional issues. We must make the case in a way that the faceless bureaucrats can accept.

"If we can prove that the school has a good future then every Conservative must rally round to protect it. We may have to find special more local solutions which are more appropriate to Herefordshire than the urban Labour Governments "one size fits all" approach.

"We have to consider the longer distances that young people will have to travel, and that this has an impact on them, the environment and the balance we need to achieve to continue Herefordshire's fantastic record of delivering excellent education despite being handicapped by Government budget restrictions.

"The projected decline in pupil numbers over the next few years must be scrutinised very closely because if it is inaccurate than we may find ourselves being short of provision. I remain to be convinced whether these proposals, as they presently stand, are the best for Herefordshire's schools and pupils."