The report in Saturday's Post ("Bid to solve Bristol primary places shortage", April 25) was well- balanced and I would like to expand on one or two points.

The key priority for the council over the last nine weeks has been to secure enough reception places for our three and four-year-old children for September 2009. Alongside that has been the start of planning for September 2010.

It is quite clear that the council must not put the parents of children starting school through this stress and anxiety again.

However, I am also clear, as the Executive Member for Children's Services, that the council must not be putting head teachers, governors and the parents of children currently at school under the pressure of change at short notice. I am determined that what has happened this year will not happen again.

This will require both the council and the community to be open to a wide range of possibilities.

Nothing should be discounted at this stage and it is important not to pre-judge any ideas that are floated.

Time for full consultation, time to listen to parental concerns and aspirations for their children will be built into the timetable and planning for September 2010.

The other parties on the council have offered to work together on this and I will welcome their constructive suggestions.

Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, Executive Member for Children and Young People.