Threat to Somerset Transport – Call for Support
Somerset Council has recently announced that they are consulting on the removal of the subsidy for denominational transport. When B&NES conducted a similar consultation we learned that a strong and clear campaign does have an effect.
B&NES Cabinet did decide to remove the denominational subsidy but they agreed a significant concession by retaining the subsidy for siblings. It is therefore critical that all parents and friends of Catholic education in this area, whether they live in Somerset or not, engage with this issue and contact Somerset Council to say that the removal of denominational subsidy will make it very difficult for Catholic families in Somerset to get their children to St Gregory’s.
Please write to Helen Reid, Policy Officer, School Commissioning Team, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY or email schoolconsultation@somerset.gov.uk to express your opposition to the removal of the subsidy in Somerset.
The consultation runs until 10 July, with a proposal to remove the subsidy from September 2014. This is a very tight turnaround and we will of course challenge that. Angela Nolan, the Headteacher at SS Joseph and Teresa in Wells, has organised an excellent campaign in a very short space of time. We need to give her and all our Somerset families our full support. Many thanks.
R Friel, Executive Headteacher
