The document summarizes issues discussed at a recent city council committee meeting about local schools. It notes a shortfall in primary school places for 2014 and that Werrington Primary could have 40 surplus places to accommodate students from outside the normal catchment area. It also reports on £2 million in needed maintenance projects and a proposal to share teachers between higher and lower performing schools. Local councillor Darren Fower expresses concerns about the proposals and cuts to education funding.

1. Issue 76
FOCUSSOUTH WERRINGTON & NORTH GUNTHORPE
RESIDENTS’ NEWSLETTER
News from Lib Dem councillors
Julia Davidson & Darren Fower
Local schools - Shortfalls, spare
places and poor maintenance!
At a recent committee meeting city councillors were presented with
reports relating to the state of education in the city. Most worrying was the
shortfall in places for some primary schools in this area for 2014.
However, the council thinks that up to 40 surplus places could occur at
Werrington Primary, which is usually a sought-after school. These could be
used to provide places for pupils living outside the present catchment area for
the school.
The reports show that there is
around £2 million of large
maintenance projects – rewiring,
boiler replacement and roofing
works – still waiting to be done in
the city’s primary schools. The
reports also suggest that the
council could “rent out” teachers
from schools doing well to other
schools that are falling behind in
certain subjects.
Local Lib Dem councillor Darren
Fower sits on the committee that
received these reports from council
officers. He said:
“The Tory-controlled city council is
trying to balance the books but it’s
not looking good.
“We should remember that the same people who are now looking to sort out
school placement shortfalls are the same people who decide to close down
schools such as Bretton Woods and Honeyhill just a few years ago.
“I raised my concerns at the meeting, as parking is already an issue along
Amberley Slope. If more children from outside the area are going to be using
the school, I fear many will be brought by parents in cars rather than on the bus
or by cycle.
“As for the idea of handing over good teachers to schools that are failing, I’m
not sure that this is the right way to go.
“Of course it looks good on paper but parents and governors surely want top
teachers throughout the day, each day of the week while children are at school.
“The fact is that the council has a shortfall of teachers in the city and is
desperate for people to come forward for training.”
FOCUS has published online the main report which the council committee
looked at. You can see it at http://bit.ly/SWNGSchools.
Fulbridge
parking
Local Liberal Democrat
city councillor Julia
Davidson has
contacted city council
officers about the state
of grass verges in
Fulbridge Road.
Parking on the
verges by residents,
visitors and builders
has turned them into
‘mud baths’. Julia
wants action taken
against vehicle owners
who are causing this.
Julia is also
concerned about poor
parking on the road,
particularly at night.
This is causing a
hazard for cyclists and
other road users. She
will be raising the
issue with local police.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
We don’t usually
include ‘personal ads’
in FOCUS – but
thought we would
make an exception to
wish Julia’s father a
happy 90th
birthday!
Find us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Search for South Werrington FOCUS
Check out the local Liberal Democrat website at
www.PeterboroughLibDems.org.uk
Local Lib Dem councillors Darren Fower and
Julia Davidson at Werrington Primary School.
The city council says the school could have 40
spare places next year.

2. Missing bin
Local Lib Dem councillors Darren Fower and Julia
Davidson have been on the trail of a missing bin.
There used to be a bin on the steps just after the
underpass leading from Helmsdale Gardens through to
Dukesmead but it has disappeared. Getting it replaced
looks like being a costly exercise.
The council originally told Darren that the bin had never
existed but he was able to provide pictures to show that it
did. Enterprise, the company that now looks after waste in
the city, says it will cost £340 to replace it.
Darren and Julia at the site of the missing bin – rubbish is
now just being thrown on the ground.
Meanwhile, Darren and Julia have been continuing their
regular ‘walk abouts’.
In Elter Walk and nearby roads their attention was
drawn to ‘dog dirt issues’.
Darren said: “There’s still a need to add extra dog waste
bins but I would also like to see schemes introduced that
offer free bags attached to the side of the bins.
“Sadly the city council has sold the service to a private
company. At the moment the company is opposed to
doing anything outside the contract it signed with the local
authority.”
Nick and Asif look at a verge ploughed up by parking cars.
The ‘community payback’ team at work in
Fulbridge Road.
‘Community payback’
success in Werrington
An elderly resident in Fulbridge Road is
able to enjoy her garden again – thanks to a
group of young offenders and local Liberal
Democrat councillor Julia Davidson.
Julia arranged with the probation service for a
team of offenders doing community service to
clear up the garden of a lady who was unable to
deal with it herself because of ill health.
Julia said: “This has clearly been of benefit to
the resident but I hope it has also helped the
offenders.
“Community service is an alternative to prison.
It can help to show petty criminals the error of
their ways and provides a way for them to say
‘sorry’ to the community.
“By enabling them to feel better about
themselves it hopefully helps to give them the
confidence they need to be reintegrated with the
community. Community payback shouldn’t be
seen as a ‘soft option’ but a way to cut re-
offending rates and reduce the level of crime.”
If you know of other projects that offenders
could undertake as part of the ‘community
payback’ scheme, please contact Julia.
Printed by Keyprint, Peterborough PE3 7PR. Published and promoted for and on behalf of the Liberal Democrats by Peter Chivall, 88 Elmfield Rd, Peterborough PE1 4HB
CONTACT FOCUS
By phone: Text or call local Liberal Democrat councillors:
Darren Fower – 0796 184 91 10 Julia Davidson – 0750 653 66 27
By post: Town Hall, Bridge St, Peterborough PE1 1HG
By e-mail: SWNG_FOCUS@peterboroughlibdems.org.uk.
Via Facebook: Search for ‘SWNG FOCUS’
Or visit the councillors’ ward ‘surgery':
6:00 to 7:00 pm, first Friday every month
Community Centre, Church Street
6:00 to 7:00 pm, third Friday every month
Brookside Methodist Church, Gunthorpe Road