It’s a very long time now since Bob Russell was a member of the Labour Party or, indeed, attended Labour Party conference, so I’m not surprised he’s forgotten how it works (Letters, Oct 2).

One advantage of being in the Labour Party means attending our party conference allows us unprecedented access to ministers away from their Civil Servants and the rarefied atmosphere of Westminster.

Councillors Dave Harris, Julie Young and I had two informal meetings with Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, to discuss a number of local education issues.

This included the reorganisation of secondary school provision in the borough, the £130million of Government investment in secondary education planned for Colchester and, yes, the issue of Carol Hill, the dinner lady from Great Tey who has lost her job in controversial circumstances.

Ed referred us to Vernon Coaker, the Schools Minister, who met with Julie Young and Jordan Newell, our prospective Parliamentary candidate.

Subsequently he met Dave Harris and myself.

It is fair to say education in Colchester is now firmly on their radar and we will continue our efforts to achieve the best result for pupils, parents and staff by following up our contacts at conference.

While in Brighton, I also had conversations with Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health, and Mike O’Brien, junior Health Minister, about health issues in Colchester.

I know Jordan Newell also met up with Defence Ministers to discuss Ministry of Defence matters that relate to Colchester.

I realise all this may make Bob Russell hanker for a return to his Labour days and, if it does, all he has to do is pick up the phone to me or go to www.labour.org.uk

Tim Young
Labour group leader
Colchester Council
Mascot Square
Colchester