Council's schools plan on knife-edge after by-election result

Oct 18 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

KNIFE EDGE

A MASSIVE schools plan has been thrown into doubt after a by-election result increased the chances of a change at the top of Kirklees Council.

Labour’s win in Dewsbury East yesterday means the ruling Conservatives could even be ousted by Christmas.

The opposition parties now have the two-thirds majority needed to pass a vote of no confidence in the Tory administration over the £200m schools plan for north Kirklees.

This means the council is now on a knife-edge and the schools issue could topple the Conservative Cabinet.

Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan said: “We now have the support of two-thirds of the council on this issue and I would plead with the Tories to listen to what we have to say and change their plans.”

Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens all oppose the Conservative proposals, which would see 11 schools close in north Kirklees.