'Blatant disregard for public opinion' claim on Catholic schools shakeup

COUNCIL CABINET VOTES TO TAKE NEXT STEPS TOWARDS 'SUPER-SCHOOL' SCHEME DESPITE OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION IN CONSULTATION

- By ALEC DOYLE Local Democracy Reporter

JUST a week after being given hope that their voices had been heard, parents opposing plans for a Catholic super-school in Flint say they are alarmed by a decision to proceed.

On Tuesday Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet voted to ignore a recommendation put forward by the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee to pause the process and reconsider the proposal to close four Catholic schools. Under the plans the council would build a replacement Catholic super-school in Flint for three to 18-year-olds.

‘The committee recognised the weight of public opinion, with 95% of consultation respondents opposed to the plan. When the item came to Cabinet however, members elected instead to continue with the next statutory phase of the process - a formal 28-day objection period.

The schools threatened with closure are 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.

The Diocese of Wrexham will not contribute to the proposed £55 million replacement school, with 85% of funding coming from the Welsh Government and 15% from Flintshire County Council.

‘The objection period is the final opportunity for those who oppose or support the scheme to submit their views for consideration.

That feedback will then be submitted to full council for a final decision - due to be made in January. A start date for the objection period has not yet been announced.

Parents at the affected schools remain unconvinced their views will be listened to after the overwhelming evidence from the public consultation against the proposals had no impact on the Cabinet.