As children start the academic year, I am pleased to see the ever-growing choice from the good schools that are available in this borough. This September we will see the new University Technical College join our existing secondary schools and colleges as it accepts its first pupils. We also have new primary classes opening in the town centre and north Swindon. Although it’s the Council’s role to ensure that there are sufficient school places, since 1988 the law and government policy has made parental choice a key part of the school allocation process. Over the next few weeks, we will be inviting parents to register for school places in September 2015. Since I am both a parent and a former Cabinet Member responsible for Children’s Services, I know how important these choices are.

I urge all parents to make use of all the information available and to list the maximum three choices. If you do not give more than one choice on your form, you may be very disappointed if it cannot be offered.

Over the past few years Swindon has been in the top quarter of local authorities in offering places at preferred schools for over 90% of children. We hope that as many of our young people will get what they wish for next year.

While as a council we will continue to put educating future generations first, there is a cost. Some people have talked about the Council’s total debt, and tried to pin that to a few projects; however, even if you look at only the last 4 years, you will see a consistent record of investing in education.

Since 2008/9, we have built new schools such as Orchid Vale and expanded St Francis, Abbey Meads, Drove, Orchid Vale, Haydonleigh, and Even Swindon.

We incorporated Penhill Primary into the Swindon Academy. We have removed asbestos from Commonweal – at a cost of over £4m – and built new primary schools for the town centre. Along with the money we have identified to cope with the growing demand, this amounts to £30m of investment, much of which is paid by borrowing as you would for any other asset you plan to use for many years.

My colleagues and I believe that this is money well spent. We do not want a return to the position we inherited in 2003/4 where schools had running water – but only because the roofs were leaking. We do not consider that a £65m backlog of repairs is the kind of legacy we want to pass on to those who follow.

This Council’s commitment to schools typifies our whole outlook – we are investing in our future prosperity.