Dramatic u-turn on schools closures

4:46pm Friday 8th February 2008

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By Michael Baws THE future of Shropshire's primary schools is now "in the melting pot" following a dramatic decision last week.

Shropshire Council's cabinet meeting called a halt last Wednesday to consultation over the possible closure of 22 schools across the county - four of them in south Shropshire.

But it recommended embarking on a consultation over a series of mergers. One of those, involving Lydbury North and Clunbury schools, is likely to run into heavy opposition.

The decision on the closure hitlist was a surprise because, until the cabinet meeting in Shrewsbury, the prospect of shutdowns looked a distinct possibility. Protestors and pupils from all the schools affected had gathered outside the Shirehall with banners. They then heard that cabinet members had voted for a U-turn.

This week, county councillor Ann Hartley, cabinet member for childrens' services, told The Advertiser: "We still have a problem with school rolls and a financial shortfall. We have listened to what the people have said and I'm reflecting on where to go from here. We're thinking again. We're back in the melting pot."

The cabinet decision has been called in by the council's scrutiny committee. "I'd be delighted if they came up with any solutions," said Coun Hartley.

She stressed: "We hope to talk it through with the people concerned. It will be a two-way consultation. No decisions have been made and we are here to listen."

Before last week, Hope, Hopton Wafers, Onny and Rushbury schools in the south of Shropshire were slated for closure.

However proposals to merge Ashford Carbonell school with Caynham and Lydbury North with Clunbury are likely to move into the next stage following the scrutiny meeting.

Polly Peters, a governor and a parent at Lydbury North, said that if that happened, the proposal would be opposed. Lydbury North has 60 places but only 41 pupils.

According to papers made public before the cabinet meeting "The Lydbury North building would be difficult to make fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act."

Its possible merger partner Clunbury actually has 65 pupils in a school with 60 places. It also has a nursery class and is the more likely of the two to survive.

By contrast, Ashford Carbonell and Caynham are expected to welcome amalgamation.

Combined pupil numbers are forecast to fall to 78 by 2012, leaving 58 places unfilled.

Last week's decision met with welcomes from both sides of the political divide. Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, who addressed the crowd with a megaphone outside Shirehall, said: "I have not seen such swift political change since becoming your MP.

"It is a credit to those who pointed out the damage to our local communities - particularly to the hundreds of parents, governors, staff and pupils from many schools threatened with closure, and resisting proposed amalgamation.

"Enterprising headteachers had signed many children on to a field trip last Wednesday to see local government in action, as part of the good citizenship agenda. What an excellent lesson it was."

He also paid tribute "to the councillors who had the courage to listen to the people. The cabinet were right to cancel the consultation and deserve some recognition for doing so".

His political opponent, Lib-Dem district councillor Heather Kidd, was also present. She called the vote: "A victory for the parents and people of Shropshire over the wishes of the blinkered few."

Coun Kidd added: "At long last they have taken note of all the economic, social and practical arguments put forward by parents and campaigners from all over Shropshire."