Cheshire East urges government to make quick decision on new Crewe special school
Cheshire East is writing to the government again to stress the urgency of a quick decision on plans for two special schools in Crewe and Sandbach.
The cash-strapped council is spending millions each year on placing pupils with special educational needs in schools outside the borough because it doesn't have enough places in Cheshire East.
This means the children often spend hours each day travelling to and from school.
Cheshire East proposes to use the former Flag Lane Baths site in Crewe as a school for excluded pupils.
The council closed its former Westfields HQ at Sandbach in November and plans to convert it into a school for children with special needs.
But, it is still waiting for a decision on both from the Department for Education.
At Monday's (April 7) meeting of the children and families committee, Cllr Ben Wye (Labour) asked: "Can we urge our MPs and relevant people in government for a quick decision on the Westfields SEN (special educational needs) scheme and the Crewe alternative provision scheme, which is just about in my ward in Crew.?
"If we could get a decision on that quickly, that would make life a lot easier, not just for our budget, but for the children."
Director of education, Claire Williamson, said the council had already written to the minister and was informed this was still being looked at.
"Obviously, we know that this is really important, the Westfields building in regards to the work that we're doing around high needs, and we really do need those places," said Mrs Williamson.
Cllr Jos Saunders (Poynton, Conservative), said her group would support any decision to write to the minister and all Cheshire East MPs to progress the schemes.
"This is so crucial because if we don't get them our financial state will become even more perilous," said Cllr Saunders.
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