The executive met today to discuss implemenation of the new projects, the ideas for which were developed at the recent away day.  More news to follow.

The development of the community project continues apace.  At todays management committee we covered the re-structure of the building and the educational offer that is planned for the new Community House on Westcroft Road.

My colleague, Marc Ramsbottom, who is the Lib Dem Education spokesperson has been highlighting again this week Labour’s failure to provide decent education services in Manchester, and particularly the record on truancy.

The number of school children missing lesson in Manchester is the worst in the country according to recent official government figures. New figures show that the city is ranked worst out of 150 councils. Nearly one in ten pupils are skipping school in Manchester, which is twice the national average.

Marc described the figures as ’shockingly bad’, stating that “Manchester has been one of the worst performing education authorities in the country, and these figures show that things are not improving under Labour”.

I must say that it is no wonder over half of pupils fail to get five good GCSE’s when education bosses are not taking a tough enough line on truancy. This is a damning indictment of Labour’s failure to drive up standards in our education system.

The full governing body met tonight, and the school continues to improve.

Thought I did very well to cycle from work to Green End School in 30 minutes, unfortunately I had picked up a puncture on the way so the journey back home was a little more arduous.  Still the puncture was easily fixed.  Ah well, that’s life I guess.

Following my complaints on behalf of constituents regarding the way in which the South Manchester area was not adequately covered in the easter breakout, I met tonight with the officers responsible.  It was a positive meeting and many of the issues I previously raised have been addressed now.

 There is still a lot of work to be done, and a lot of gaps in provision, but at least we are now moving in the right direction.

For our generation today is the day. Its time for the Liberal Democrats.

The Council’s list of activities for young people over the Easter Holidays shows a total failure in provision for children in South Manchester according to Liberal Democrat Councillor for Burnage, Iain Donaldson.

The Councils official handbook of leisure activites for young people, the Break Out booklet, has 10 South Manchester Wards omitted from the detailed listings.

Cllr Donaldson stated that “This is a disgrace!  Either nothing has been organised or the council have forgotten to mention the activities that are going on.  In either case young people looking for things to do in South Manchester will see that the City Council offers nothing for them.”

“The only activity I can see listed in my own ward of Burnage is two football coaching sessions on the playing fields of Burnage High School.  It will be interesting to see how these are to be provided when the playing fields have been dug up in the last couple of weeks in order to build the new school!”

“I have called on the Executive member responsible to explain why my ward, his ward, and 8 other wards are seeing no organised activities advertised in the Council’s official handbook.”

Councillors John Cameron, Iain Donaldson and Rod Isherwood and John Leech MP have hailed recent results from Ladybarn, St Bernards and Green End Primary Schools. All three have received very good OFSTEAD inspection reports in recent months. Ladybarn and Green End Primaries have been working together in a ‘federation’, with one head teacher for both. John Leech said:”These reports show a great achievement by the staff, parents and pupils of all three schools. Congratulations go to all concerned.” Councillor Iain Donaldson, who is a school governor at Green End Primary said:”Green End has had some major problems in recent years, but the federation with Ladybarn and the dedication and hard work of all the staff have really paid off.” Councillors John Cameron and Rod Isherwood are school governors at Ladybarn Primary. John Cameron said:“Ladybarn Primary has been classed as an ‘outstanding’ school. This is no more than it deserves. Everyone at Ladybarn has worked exceptionally hard to achieve this.”