Councillor criticises Powys over Pupil Referral Unit closure

Conservative County Councillor Peter Lewington has criticised Powys County Council over its “radio silence” in the weeks since it made a proposal to close one of the county’s Pupil Referral Units (PRU).

Cllr Lewington accused the council of prolonging the concern of staff at units facing closure, arguing that “anxious staff at both the units who have legitimate concerns for their future need to be consulted and told what Powys County Council will be doing and when”.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Tuesday, February 13, where councillors considered recommendations on its draft budget by scrutiny committees, in response to plans to balance the books with £10.652 million in cuts, savings, and income generation.

One of these proposals was a suggested cost saving of £603,000 over the next two financial years by closing one of the county’s PRU’s, used for children with behavioural or mental health issues who need additional support.

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Cllr Lewington said: “It is simply not good enough to just announce these proposals and then maintain radio silence – these are peoples futures that are at stake as well as the impact that will be inflicted upon some of our most vulnerable children.

“I have continued to make the point that Scrutiny has had no sight of any model or plan going forward. We have real concerns for pupils and staff with the implications of any change to the current model.

“I have had a few conversations with current staff, and none know what the future holds for them. I spoke to Cllr Pete Roberts (cabinet member for a learning Powys) last week and although there are some proposals on the table, he does not seem to know what they are.”

Powys currently has two PRU’s, one in Newtown and one in Brecon, and it is not yet known which would close under the plans or whether it would mean they were consolidated on a single site elsewhere.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “Following the budget decision a full business case is now in preparation in advance of a formal management of change process.”