Published: 2 February, 2012

• In your last edition issues were raised regarding my support for the Belsize parents’ campaign for a much-needed new primary school (Lib Dem failed to declare role on school firm board, January 26).

I have been right behind the campaign since it started in March 2009.

This support has from the beginning been well documented in this paper, in council records and elsewhere.

The Belsize Park Primary School company that was set up in 2011 and of which I am a director exists only to meet the government’s requirements for setting up a new school.

I am confident that this has made no difference to my actions as a councillor which always have and always will be about supporting the local community.

The key point is that we have an acute need for more primary school places in Belsize, in Swiss Cottage, Kilburn and across north west Camden.

The Labour administration has failed to commit to a solution to the problem. Shockingly both Labour and Conservative councillors have stood in the way of efforts by the community to solve the problem for the council.

I was elected by the people of Belsize in 2009 and 2010 with supporting a new primary school as one of the main campaign issues.

As long as the problem remains I will continue to give my wholehearted support to parents and residents campaigning for a solution.

It would be a gross dereliction of my duty as the local representative not to do so.

Cllr Tom Simon
Liberal Democrat,
Belsize ward