Wider consultation on school closures vital for small communities. - Burnham comments

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, today condemned the Labour/Plaid Government for letting down the children of small schools and communities in Wales through their failure to consult with the people on the decisions that significantly affect the community.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Burnham said:

"Whilst I sympathise with local authorities' present predicament, it is vital to have meaningful, ongoing consultations with all the stakeholders involved with the school, including young people and the local community.

"Last month a Liberal Democrat measure to ensure a broader, more comprehensive and genuine process of consultation for school closure was totally rejected by the Labour/Plaid government.

"I have heard many people complain about the lack of input they have in the decision making process on school closures by local authorities yet the Labour/Plaid government stamped out our Liberal Democrat measure.

"More often than not councils look predominantly at costs when making these considerations and automatically leap to closure rather than looking at more imaginative and effective alternatives such as federalisation.

"If schools do close, it is imperative to put the building to the most effective community use, to try and offset the loss of the school for the community."

Ms Burnham also added:

"Our Liberal Democrat measure further stipulated that local authorities would have been required to consider the impact upon the community of closure of schools. These schools, along with Post Offices, form the hearts of small communities.

"The Labour/Plaid coalition's rejection is a clear indication of their refusal to listen to the wider community on such a vital issue."

Ends/Diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Myrddin Edwards 02920 898345

Release/Rhyddhau: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Embargo: None