Claims diocese tried to stop super-school discussions are denied

PLANS WOULD SEE NEW SCHOOL REPLACE FOUR OTHERS

- By ALEC DOYLE

THE Diocese of Wrexham has denied claims that a meeting last week over proposals for a Catholic 'super-school' saw discussion of the consultation banned on church grounds.

A consultation is currently underway into joint plans by Flintshire County Council and the Diocese of Wrexham to close four schools - St Anthony's Catholic Primary School in Saltney, St David's Catholic Primary in Mold, St Mary's Catholic Primary in Flint and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School.

In their place will be built a £55.5 million all-through school for pupils aged 3-18. The consultation, which is currently open to the public on Flintshire County Council's website, will close on July 18.

Last week a meeting took place for the council and the diocese to take representations from school officials and governors from St David's and St Anthony's on the plans, answer any questions and raise any concerns.

Afterwards a source - who asked not to be named - claimed that in the meeting they were told that discussion of the consultation had been banned on church property.

"One particularly important question - why the Bishop had banned discussions of the consultation on church property - remained unanswered," the source said. "This raises concerns about transparency and open communication throughout this process.

"Both schools were only allocated eight minutes to ask questions and were restricted to submitting them via a text box. This did not allow for meaningful dialogue."

These claims however have been flatly denied by the diocese, who say they want an open and transparent consultation to take place.