Children's Commissioner speaks out on Schools on tips

Friends of the Earth Cymru has congratulated Wales Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke for stepping into the row about plans to build new schools in Wales on contaminated land. The group also warned the Welsh Local Government Association against promoting complacency about the risks of pollution to children in Wales.

Friends of the Earth Cymru had campaigned for the Children's Commissioner to have a remit that would allow him to speak out on behalf of children threatened by pollution and is delighted that he is showing the courage to do so.

However, FOE Cymru is less impressed at the comments of Cllr Goronwy Parry of the Welsh Local Government Association [1] which sought to play down concerns about the safety of building on contaminated land. The group has warned that the public is increasingly sceptical of official assurances of safety - particularly when so much of the evidence is not in the public domain.

Julian Rosser, Head of Campaigns for FOE Cymru commented:

"It is excellent news that Peter Clarke has shown himself independent enough to stand up for children in Wales against the complacency of two local authorities and the National Assembly. His words are not rash pronouncements, they are a carefully considered response to the evidence he has before him.

Unfortunately, the Welsh Local Government Association does itself few favours by making itself the voice of complacency in local government. People simply do not believe that local authorities in Wales are looking after their best interests or taking their concerns seriously. Peter Clarke has been employed to keep an eye out for the interests of all the children in Wales; for the WLGA to imply that his valid concerns are based on 'unfounded apprehension' beggars belief.

There should be a clear sign from the Assembly that it takes the opinions of its Children's Commissioner seriously and is willing to take action to shelve these school plans or to genuinely reassure worried parents and children."

Notes

[1] WLGA Press Release