CLLR Roy Perry should know that all new schools now automatically become academies or free schools.

The county council has responsibility for overseeing the design and construction but the actual funds come from central government and/or the local developer, as, I have been assured, is the case with the provision of the new primary schools at Barton Farm and Stoneham Park.

Once they are up and running the Local Authority has no more jurisdiction over either school Evidence of the new local democracy in action!

So some of the county reserves are not earmarked for the provision of new schools as Cllr Perry states.

So, one wonders for what schemes most of the £643 million reserves are earmarked.

I think we council tax payers have a right to know.

Michael Bull

Romsey