Liberal Democrats will have a free vote on Borough schools reorganisation proposal

5.38.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 29th Jul 2009

Liberal Democrats will have a free vote on the proposal to reorganise the schools system in Bedford Borough

The Liberal Democrat Group on Bedford Borough Council will have a free vote on the proposal for schools reorganisation. The consultation on the proposal to change to a two tier system closed on 24th July, with the decision to be taken in the autumn. Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have confirmed that the group's Councillors will decide individually whether to support or reject the proposal.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Whip Cllr Phil Merryman said: "Liberal Democrat Councillors will each make an individual decision on this matter of fundamental importance, based on their own view of what is best for education in Bedford Borough."

The outcome of the consultation on the proposal to change to a two tier system is to be considered by the Council's Executive at a meeting on September 16th. Should the Executive decide to back the proposal, it will go forward to a special full council meeting on September 24th. The full council can then agree the proposal or send it back to the Executive with objections, at which point the Executive can drop the proposal or recommend it again to a further meeting of the Full Council, at which a two thirds majority would be required to overturn the Executive's proposal.