A LEGAL challenge against the closure of a primary school near Crickhowell has still not been concluded, councillors were told.
At a meeting of Powys County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, July 5, councillors voted to delay the closure of Llanbedr Church in Wales primary school in the Vale of Grwyney.
This is to allow time for a wider catchment area review, which includes nearby schools, before a decision on how to reorganise the whole area are taken.
The closure of the school – scheduled for August 31 – would have to be delayed until Christmas in any case.
This is because staff redundancy processes had not started in time.
This was due to an expectation that the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon would go to the Welsh Government to challenge the decision to close the school.
Cabinet member for a Learning Powys, Cllr Pete Roberts said: “The Judicial Review of the original decision is still outstanding and while officers are confident in the process they have followed, the possibility it may be successful cannot be excluded at this time.
“Secondly there has been a significant change in the governing structures of two of the schools in the catchment.”
Cllr Roberts explained that the headteachers of both Crickhowell High and Primary schools were standing down.
He added that there was also the possibility of merging both into an all-through school.
Cllr Roberts said: “I and my party have advocated for a cluster review process.
“The area has already been scheduled for review and we propose bringing it forward as a priority for the next 12 months.”
Conservative chairman of the Learning and Skills scrutiny committee, Cllr Gwynfor Thomas said: “This school will close in a year’s time.
“I worry it gives hope to people that will misread the message and that it will remain open.
“I’m not sure how Estyn will view this postponement. I’m mindful that these decisions are affecting the whole school service.”
Cabinet member for a greener Powys, Cllr Jackie Charlton said that “no child” has been moved from Llanbedr to a new school for September.
Council leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt said: “Just for the avoidance of doubt, the outcome for this school will depend on the review that is to take place.
“Let us be clear it’s not automatic that this school is closing in August 2023, that will depend on the review. The date is there to ensure the review is conducted at pace.”
Cabinet voted to delay the closure date until August 31, 2023 to allow the catchment area review to start.
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