SIR – Last week I attended a meeting of Bradford Council’s Labour Executive in support of the 2,000-plus signature petition that went before them.

It asked the council to be proactive in seeking funding for a new secondary school in Wharfedale. The executive said that the numbers didn’t warrant a new school because only 1,000 school places are needed.

When challenged about the numbers, as another Bradford Council report states that 2,700 secondary school places are needed, we were told that the 1,000 places only refers to current need.

Firstly, it is Bradford Council that is ultimately responsible for providing school places and it up to the executive to make provision in their budget to meet future demand.

I get cross when I hear government cuts blamed when the council has a choice where to place its spending priorities.

Secondly, Bradford Council has requested a further 500 houses be built in Burley in Wharfedale and 200 extra in both Ilkley and Menston. If 1,400 houses would generate the additional need for 2,700 secondary school places, in actual fact, we might need 4,436 places!

Surely, in these circumstances, the Labour Executive in Bradford must prioritise spending to provide a new school if the Inspector agrees to increase the quotas?

Jackie Whiteley, District Councillor for Wharfedale Ward (Con)