South Derbyshire Conservative councillors for Etwall Ward, Andrew Kirke and David Muller are working tirelessly to secure the long-promised New House Farm Primary School, which is currently stuck in limbo due to delays from both Labour’s MP and the Reform-led County Council.
Despite repeated efforts to get answers, the Department for Education has yet to confirm the necessary funding. Cllr Kirke has written to our MP Samantha Niblett, who has in turn raised the matter with the Secretary of State for Education — but no reply has been received. Meanwhile, families moving into New House Farm are being forced to send their children to schools elsewhere, putting extra strain on parents, pupils, and the public purse.
Adding to the frustration, a question due to be discussed at the last Derbyshire County Council meeting was never heard because Reform councillors voted against extending the sitting hours, preventing debate on this critical issue. With deadlines looming, every week lost risks the Section 106 funds and the school site — and once they’re gone, they can’t be replaced. That would mean longer bus journeys for local children and higher costs for taxpayers.
Cllrs Kirke and Muller are keeping up the pressure behind the scenes and in council chambers, but they need your help to show the strength of local feeling.
👉 Email our MP Samantha Niblett ([email protected]) to urge her to keep pressing the Secretary of State.
👉 Email Reform’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Jack Bradley ([email protected]), asking the County Council to work with the developer and ensure the project doesn’t miss its critical deadlines.
Cllr Andrew Kirke said:
“Local families were promised this school. We will not let bureaucratic delays and political games deny our community what it’s owed.”
Cllr David Muller added:
“We’re doing everything we can to push this through — but we need residents’ voices to be heard loud and clear.”
