The following is a letter sent to County Clr. David Lloyd, Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member for education, regarding our front page story, November 4, ‘New school lacks essential equipment’.

Sir,

In an attempt to pre-empt a question to full council, I’m hoping that you might be able to intervene in this shambles as the cabinet member responsible for education. I did raise concerns about the inadequate play provision in the schools at council on the October 20, but this was met with the statement that the provision met statutory requirements, and much shaking of the head by the CEO.

Since then, it has become apparent that the new schools are lacking basic essential equipment. The headteacher of the new English school has written to the town council stating that the school faced ‘a significant financial challenge.’ The school faces a chronic shortage of essential equipment brought about in my view by the failure of PCC to adequately manage the budget for the build. Several rooms are unfinished and there is a shortage of basic items such as seats. Other new build schools have been equipped with comprehensive computer technology, but not Tenby. This type of equipment is vital in today’s environment.

Would you undertake to personally visit the schools to investigate this situation with a view to ensuring that the schools no longer find themselves in this position? My understand is that PCC has more than adequate financial reserves, and I would urge the use of reserves to ensure these new facilities are allowed to deliver to their full potential. Unless they are properly equipped, they will be put under enormous and unfair pressure.

Somewhat incongruous, but a ‘21st century’ school with no proper IT facilities and even sufficient seats to sit on! Quite an indictment of PCC.

Tenby North

Footnote: David Lloyd, the cabinet member for education, has confirmed that he is looking in to the matter.