The Conservative Party councillor, Adrian Delaney retained the Weoley seat by just 12 votes in the closest of our local polls.
With both Labour and Conservative candidates sharing over 80% of the poll, Delaney held his seat from Labour candidate Chris Hillcox. Earlier rumours suggested the count revealed a 15 vote majority for Delaney, prompting a recount.
Liberal Democrat candidate, Trevor Sword, came in third, with David Williams (Green) fourth and John Graainger (BNP) fifth.
| Name | Party | Votes | % Poll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaney Adrian Joseph |
The Conservative Party Candidate |
2,599 | 41.66 |
| Grainger John |
British National Party | 305 | 4.89 |
| Hillcox Chris |
The Labour and Co-operative Party Candidate |
2,587 | 41.46 |
| Sword Trevor Peter |
Liberal Democrats | 402 | 6.44 |
| Williams David Owen |
Green Party Candidate | 312 | 5.00 |
Electorate: 17,655
Majority: 12
Total votes for ward: 6,239
Total percentage votes for ward: 35.33%
A letter came through our door, from the Conservative councillors, telling is that St Laurence Junior and Infants School is proposing to go up to four forms of entry. It is already one of the biggest primary schools in Birmingham.
It has plenty of land, but the parking problems around the school when parents come and collect their children are already horrendous, and presumably this change will mean that more children come from farther away.
In any case do we want such big schools? Surely the whole point of primary education is to have schools where everyone knows everyone else, and very young children do not feel theatened by large numbers and formal systems?
St Laurence is a good school. But is it not in danger of destroying its own quality by becoming such a huge one?