Harehills Primary investment welcomed

7.08.00pm GMT Mon 19th Mar 2007

Local Lib Dem Cllrs Javaid Akhtar and Alan Taylor (Gipton & Harehills) have welcomed plans to increase capacity at local primary schools in Harehills.

At their meeting on Wednesday 14th March the council's executive board approved plans to increase the number of pupils entering Harehills Primary School from 60 to 90 places every year on a permanent basis. They also agreed to invest over half a million pounds in providing temporary accommodation and to look into the purchase of additional land for the school to expand.

Cllr Javaid Akhtar (Lib Dem, Harehills) said "Recently temporary arrangements have been in place to increase the number of places at both Harehills Primary and Bankside Primary Schools. These proposals will make the increased entry numbers at Harehills Primary permanent, and improve the accommodation available to the school. As a local councillor I'm fully aware of the demands which have been placed upon the school in recent years with the available space being stretched to the limit. Now Harehills Primary can look forward to much needed investment immediately, and further expansion in the future."

Cllr Alan Taylor added (Lib Dem, Harehills) "The council has to formally consult with the local community on these plans during April and May. We need good local schools for our children here in the heart of the community and this is a major step forward."