hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A special meeting has been called after insufficient time was allowed to answer questions from the public about plans to close three schools in Medway.

More than 40 questions were tabled for councillors during a full meeting of Medway Council on June 18, but only 22 were answered.

As a result Medway’s Labour Group has called for a special meeting of the council to be held at the St George’s Centre, Chatham Maritime, from 7pm on Tuesday, July 21, so the remaining questions can be answered.

Cllr Bill Esterson (Lab) said, "The Labour Group were appalled at the way the Tories tried to ignore parents and members of staff who wanted to ask questions about the future of their schools.

"We therefore called a special meeting so that the public can have their say about the plans and get answers to their questions. Those people who were not allowed to ask their questions were offered written replies but this is not good enough."

The Labour group will also be proposing at least one motion calling for the closures to be scrapped.

Cllr Les Wicks, responsible for children services at Medway Council, said: “At the last council meeting we answered as many questions as time allowed. All the questions raised have received a written answer, including those that were not answered verbally at the meeting, and thus every question now has an answer.

“Despite this, the Labour group have demanded that we repeat the Council meeting and answer the questions again and debate motions which are substantively the same."