Plea to halt closure of four Catholic schools is rejected

COUNCILLORS VOTE TO OPEN 28-DAY FORMAL OBJECTION PERIOD

- By ALEC DOYLE Local Democracy Reporter

FLINTSHIRE Cabinet members have chosen to reject a recommendation to reconsider plans to close four Catholic schools and create a super-school in Flint.

The ruling coalition of councillors voted to open a formal objection period.

The 28-day window will offer opponents of the plans a last-chance to make their case against the closure of three Catholic primary schools St David's in Mold, St Anthony's in Saltney and St Mary's in Flint plus St Richard Gwyn in Flint and the construction of a £55 million Catholic super-school for pupils aged 3-18 in Flint.

The Cabinet decision dismissed a recommendation by the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee last week asking them to pause the process and reconsider after 95% of respondents to a public consultation rejected the proposal a partnership plan with the Diocese of Wrexham.

If approved, the plan will be 85% funded by the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Fund, with 15% paid directly by Flintshire County Council. Cllr Mared Eastwood, Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure told Tuesday's Cabinet meeting: "We fully accept that reviewing the future of any school is controversial and emotive, with schools having strong ties to local communities.

"The proposal is focused on reducing the number of surplus places, which diverts resources away from frontline delivery to pupils, improving the learning environment of some schools, securing excellent leadership across the sector to deliver the highest quality education offer for pupils, providing a full curriculum offer for children from age 3-18, further developing Welsh education from within a Catholic context and maximising the financial investment available from Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning programme for voluntary aided schools."