* OPEN letter to Wokingham Borough Council (abridged):

I have lived in Lower Earley since I was 10 (I am now 41). The council have made great progress in developing the area in to a community but the obvious facility that is lacking is the provision of co-ed secondary education.

WBC have granted permission to developers over the years without making any inroads into adding educational facilities for the clearly obvious increase in population.

WBC have gladly taken the taxes from that increased population generating an increased revenue.

With the recent closure of Ryeish Green, more cost savings have been enjoyed. No doubt RBC will also enjoy an added revenue stream from selling off the land, no doubt for more development.

The Sibley Hall planned development is a prime case of taking the money from developers/more taxes but giving nothing to community in the way of educational facilities in return.

It is time WBC, to realise your priorities.

I would suggest the provision of co-educational secondary education for your voters/taxpayers should now be on the top of your list and I would strongly urged you to think about the consequences of another year going by when you choose, and it would be a choice, to ignore the overwhelming demands of your community.

There are many reasons why we parents feel so strongly and it is a very emotive issue.

I would like to take this opportunity to make a point regarding your delivery of this consultation on that rainy Wednesday evening.

It saddens me to say that, as an operations director for a national firm, I was appalled at the quality of delivery from the speakers and the innate ability for the council to provide suitable equipment to enable the forum to be as effective as it could be. You let yourselves down at an event that gave you an opportunity to put forward your proposals clearly and concisely.

I was impressed with the headmaster from Bulmershe who spoke well on behalf of his school.

WBC I implore you - find the strength of character to change the catchment to include Lower Earley and complete the community you have done so much to build up. I feel for Park Ward residents but their’s is not your concern - they have a council of their own that should be providing resources - do not give away your residents’ services to another council.

Lisa Wise

Lower Earley