The fact that neither cabinet member for Education, Phyl Davies, or our Conservative MS and MP, Messrs George and Williams, during their lengthy summer recesses, attended their constituents’ meeting on school closures (County Times 20 August), is a sad, as it is short sighted.
The Powys population is almost static – property prices up 11 per cent in the last year, making home ownership more difficult, and now many younger parents are going to lose schools close to their homes.
Churchstoke, in particular has seen over 70 new affordable dwellings, built in the last year.
These are suitable for the commute to local towns, such as Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown and Craven Arms.
Cirestoc in the Domesday book of 1086, the large village also boasts three substantial employers, and straddles an important road from the Midlands to the Welsh coast.
Closure will mean a sharply growing number of children being bussed elsewhere – not great for the carbon footprint.
Councillor Davies’s pronouncement that Powys County Council are not required to consult with parents is arrogant and simply dodges the issue. Llanidloes is a long way from Churchstoke.
MS Russell George (on the same County Times’ page) is more concerned about the cost of holidays in Wales, due to Covid. Mr Williams is presumably sorting out Afghanistan.
Where is the local leadership, and the sense of what is really important for the community, from this trio?
The voters of Churchstoke deserve so much better.
Bruce Lawson
Montgomery
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