Well, this is an interesting news item from the city council, coming the first weekday after the closure of several city schools because of falling numbers...
...Officials have said too many small flats have been built and facilities to support family homes are needed. Councillor Alan Clarke said purpose built student accommodation was freeing up traditional homes in the city. But he underlined that any attempt to move families in would have to be sustainable.
"If you start from a position where you do not have the facilities, most obviously schools, you could be in a situation where children have to commute out which is a problem," he said.
That last quote is the most damning item in the whole report. When the school reorganisation committee held its meetings this is what the threatened schools argued - that moving students out and families in would see a rise in pupil numbers, and a need for the schools places. Would they listen this argument? No - they knew better.
Well, I expect to see a news report soon announcing that the city council will be re-opening one of the closed schools to cope with rising numbers. Watch this space...
