Conservative councillors are willing to compromise the safety of the children and the security of the school grounds.

Written by Jane Kulka and published in Surrey Mirror & Redhil & Reigate LIFE on Tue 3rd Aug 2004

Sir,

Readers would have been following the story of Reigate Priory School and their need to keep the gates to the playground closed. It is astonishing to learn that Conservative Councillors voted at a recent planning meeting to stop the school from closing the gates. They appear willing to compromise the safety of the children and the security of the school grounds.

As Chairman of Governors of another local school, I am all too aware of the need to ensure the safety of the children during school times and the security of the premises at other times. It is already the case that many schools are having to spend additional money on CCTV and security guards. Therefore, to force different rules on Reigate Priory makes no sense. The Planning Officers recommendation to keep the school gates closed has the support of Surrey County Council, the School Governors, the parents, many local residents and the Police. Yet the Conservative Councillors on Reigate and Banstead Council have chosen to ignore this sound advice and can give no legitimate planning reasons as to why. I urge your readers to write to their Councillor to support the schools need to keep its children safe and its premises secure.

Jane Kulka

Reigate Liberal Democrats

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate