'TORY U-TURN ON OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE CLOSURES WELCOME, BUT SECOND BEST' - RICHARD BURT

6.10.47pm GMT Fri 9th Feb 2007

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has welcomed smoke signals from beleaguered Tories in County Hall signalling a u-turn over spending cuts that would have led to the closure of outdoor education centres at Malvern and Llanrug.

An announcement on the future of the centres will be made at a meeting of the County Council Cabinet tomorrow (Friday 9th at 11am)

Mr Burt, who joined with parents and teachers across the county to campaign against the cuts, said "There has been a massive response from the public against the closures and I am delighted that the Conservatives are now set to announce alternative plans to keep the centres in business - but their proposed solution is only second best."

The proposal to charge commercial rates for courses at the centres will be offset by establishing a bursary of £100,000 to assist with costs for children from less well off families.

Richard Burt said:

"The offer of bursaries was first floated in a council meeting last November by Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Tom Wells. The principle of offsetting costs is good, but the amount set aside will not be adequate.

"Market prices will push courses beyond the reach of up to 40% of parents in some schools in the county, and so inevitably, the take-up amongst some of the pupils who could benefit most from the courses will be lower.

"What the Conservatives fail to understand is that outdoor education is an investment, not a cost, and cutting the availability of courses now will result in greater social and financial costs for the future."