'Think again' on plan to merge Catholic schools

COUNCILLORS REFUSE TO RUBBER-STAMP PLAN TO REPLACE FOUR SCHOOLS WITH SINGLE SUPER-SCHOOL AFTER 95% OPPOSE IN PUBLIC CONSULTATION

- By ALEC DOYLE Local Democracy Reporter welshnews@daiypostcouk

Flintshire Peoples Voice Cllr Carolyn Preece, centre, successfully tabled an amendment asking cabinet to reconsider plans to close four Flintshire Catholic schools and replace them with a single super-school

COUNCILLORS have formally asked Flintshire’s cabinet to “find an alternative” to controversial plans to close four Catholic schools and build a single Catholic super-school in Flint.

A special meeting of Flintshire County Council's Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday was expected to rubber-stamp a consultation report into the plans. After 95% of respondents rejected the proposals however, members have challenged the cabinet to reconsider.

Carried out over the summer, the consultation asked the public for feedback on plans by the council and the Diocese of Wrexham to build a £55-million Catholic super-school in Flint. ‘The project would mean the closure of St David's Catholic Primary School in Mold, St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint plus St Richard Gwyn High School.

Councillors met to review the responses and provide feedback ahead of the next statutory phase of the scheme - a 28-day objection period. However, they chose instead to support an amendment by Flintshire People’s Voice Cllr Carolyn Preece asking cabinet to look again at the plans.

The main sticking point for members was the impact on pupils in Saltney, where St Anthony's School would close with pupils expected to move to the Venerable Edward Morgan School almost 10 miles away.

“We recommend that the cabinet do not proceed to statutory notice, instead work with the Diocese to find an alternative,” said Cllr Preece. “One that sustains catholic education in Salt-ney rather than removing it”