A TOP councillor has been accused of “stealing from the poor and giving to the rich”.

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik has criticised Kirklees Council leader Clr Robert Light over a £200m schools plan.

Mr Malik has slated the proposal to build the most expensive school in Kirklees in the council leader’s ward rather than in poorer areas.

The Labour MP said Birkenshaw and Birstall could boast the most expensive school in North Kirklees, costing over £30m – 50% more than the budget proposed for any other school.

Mr Malik said: “As Kirklees Council leader his schools proposals will mean stealing from the poor and giving to the rich.

“Government guidance and Kirklees Council specify that money should be directed to areas of greatest need, and crucially, where the educational case is strongest.

“Hence, it is not merely a perverted logic to prioritise Birkenshaw and Birstall at the expense of Dewsbury, but an abuse of power.

“In part, the implications of the blatant self-interest which Clr Light promotes are far-reaching for our area.”

The MP says Dewsbury, the second largest town in Kirklees, will not have a sixth form college after the proposed closure of St John Fisher Sixth Form.

Mr Malik added: “The net result of this greed and short-sightedness will be that children in our area will suffer, not for the next five years, but for the next 50 years.

“The government’s £500m schools investment programme is one which will never be repeated in our lifetimes and so we owe it to future generations to make the right decisions today.

“If we stand by and allow others to make the wrong choices then we will have failed every child in Dewsbury and Mirfield for decades to come.”

Clr Light told the Examiner he was unable to comment on Mr Malik’s criticisms because of his connection to two of the schools involved in the schools plan.

He said: “I’m a governor of East Bierley First School and my youngest daughter goes there. My oldest daughter attends Birkenshaw Middle School. I have been advised by the council’s legal department not to take part in any discussion or debate on the schools plan.”

However, Kirklees Cabinet member for schools Clr Jim Dodds responded on behalf of the ruling Conservatives.

He said: “Mr Malik’s comment about a new school in Birkenshaw costing 50% more than any other school is incorrect and I don’t think it’s fair to say that Robert Light has put his personal interest forward.”

Clr Dodds said the plan to set up a new school in Birkenshaw was a practical proposal.

He said: “We looked at every possible location in that area for a new school. There was no site big enough in Gomersal so it came down to Birkenshaw or Batley Girls’ High.

“We believe that a new school in Birkenshaw is the best way to improve community cohesion.”

Clr Dodds added that no final decision had been made about sixth form provision in Dewsbury.

He said: “That proposal is at an embryonic stage and I’m quite happy to sit down with Shahid Malik and come up with a plan.”

Clr Dodds also criticised the Labour MP for the tone of his statement.

He said: “I think the kind of language he is using is disgusting. We shouldn’t be speaking like that, we should be working together for the good of the young people of Kirklees.”

Clr Dodds added it was unfair to criticise Clr Light given the legal position.

He said: “Robert Light is in a terrible position because he can’t respond to the criticism, which isn’t fair. It’s common knowledge that he can’t comment on the schools plan and I’m sure Shahid Malik is aware of this.”