6th June 2012
Shocking Shortage of School Places in Kingston Top Issue for CPA in Grove Ward By election
The build-up of demand for primary and secondary school places in Kingston and the failure of the Council to plan to meet the shortfall is the 'top issue' in the coming Grove Ward by-election, according to the candidate for the Christian Peoples Alliance, Jonathan Rudd. Jonathan is backing the proposed new Christian 'free' secondary school in north Kingston.
Kingston Council say they need to plan to provide 250 additional secondary places by 2015, as well as more primary places. Following his adoption by the CPA, who are a cross-denominational group of local churchgoers in Kingston, Jonathan Rudd said the shortage of places was 'shocking':
"The ruling Liberal Democrat administration has failed local parents badly. Their own party in Westminster have backed policies ending the role of local authorities in planning for new schools. But locally they have misled parents into thinking Kingston stood a chance of winning £30m for a new secondary. If elected, I will make sure that the Council co-operates closely with proponents of the free school route. It's time to get behind the last option likely to secure the finance needed for the school."
Jonathan Rudd is a local parent and has lived with his wife Lyn in Berrylands Road, Surbiton for the past 13 years. He is a Senior Consultant
in the computer industry, with over 30 years professional experience, working for a diverse range of clients in the public and private sector.
in the computer industry, with over 30 years professional experience, working for a diverse range of clients in the public and private sector.
Jonathan is a Trustee at the Community Church in Surbiton and Treasurer of the Kingston Branch of the British Cactus & Succulent Society! He is also a trained mentor for Kingston youth charity, Oxygen and serves as a Street Pastor in Kingston Town Centre.
The election will be held on Thursday 5th July.
