Susan Kramer To Seek Meeting Over Funding For Lowther School's Children's Centre

3.00.45pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 5th Feb 2007

Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer is to seek a meeting with Children's Minister Beverley Hughes over a shortfall in funding for the proposed Children's Centre at Lowther Primary School in North Barnes, Heathfield and St Richards in Ham.

She has been told that the additional £655,000 sought by the Council and turned down by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) could have a big impact on the scheme at Lowther.

Susan Kramer said;

"I understand that the projects at Heathfield and St Richards may have to reduce the size of the buildings proposed but that the refusal to provide the extra cash could cause bigger problems for Lowther Primary School.

"The planning application for the Lowther scheme is due to be submitted next week and it is important that the Minister looks at again at the needs and innovative proposals for the school to provide first class services for children and parents as well as opening up the school to more people in the community.

" The council and school are trying to meet very tight deadlines laid down by the DfES in order for the new building to be completed by March 2008.

"I have already written expressing my concerns to Beverley Hughes and I now want to meet her to stress the importance of this funding."