County Council Leader Petitioned Over Future Of Outdoor Education Centres

7.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, has written to the Leader of Worcestershire County Council on behalf of over 100 residents who have written to him protesting about proposals to axe the funding for the popular outdoor education centres at Malvern and Llanrug.

Mr Burt enclosed the petitions calling on Councillor George Lord to recognise the strength of feeling from generations of Worcestershire residents who had used the centres and did not want to lose them.

Richard Burt said: "There have been many passionate voices raised through messages posted on our websites in protest at the plans, which have been condemned by parents, teachers and children from Worcestershire and beyond.

"I believe the County Council has rushed into this decision and should take a long, hard look before doing anything that would threaten the quality and scope of provision at either centre. Children from poorer families would not be able to afford to send their children at market prices if the subsidy was withdrawn, and that would be a travesty.

The Lib Dem candidate is scheduled to speak in support of the Outdoor Education Centres at the start of the next meeting of the County Council on 22nd February.