Help for Merton schools' energy bills blocked

For the third time this year, Labour Council bosses have rejected taking action to help local schools with energy bills.

In March, they blocked a "schools energy bills support fund" proposed by Lib Dem councillors, which would have prioritised cash for schools from budget underspends or extra Government funding.

In July, a Liberal Democrats called on the Council to support schools with practical measures to reduce energy use and bills. This was also voted down.

At the Council meeting on 21 September, Cllrs Paul Kolher and Hina Bokhari requested Council bosses work with local schools to look at all the options available to help schools.

But during the evening, the Labour schools lead denied the Council should act: in answer to a published question, she stated:

"it is a national responsibility to … [fund] other cost pressures on schools such as the cost of energy".

Labour councillors then voted to take no additional action to speak to schools about the help they need.

Cllr Kohler, who is also the Parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon said

"Given the Council has had a surplus of nearly £20m over the last two years, it's hugely disappointing that the Council won't consider using some of that to support schools directly, but tonight they even rejected working with schools to see what help they could give.

"We have fantastic schools here in Merton, but they won't say that way if they're forced to increase class sizes and cut maintenance, turn down the heating and turn off their computers".