Labour-Plaid Government block Schools Measure

1.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 9th Nov 2007

"I am greatly frustrated that the Labour-Plaid Government has squashed the Liberal Democrat's schools consultation measure for apparently no other reason than disagreement for disagreement's sake" said Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education Kirsty Williams AM.

"This measure would have ensured a broader, more comprehensive and genuine process of consultation for school closure.

"School closures have both a social and economic impact on local communities and this should be reflected in the consultation process by including those representing local communities, education professionals, parents and pupils affected in the consultation.

"Currently it can be all too easy to close schools on financial grounds alone without considering the wider needs of the children and communities affected.  In my own constituency the pupils of Howey, Powys, pleaded with the council to have their voice included in the consultation process but were refused point blank. This cannot be right."

"The Lib Dem measure did not seek the impossible task of preventing all school closures; it sought for a system to be in place for a fairer and encompassing consideration of the affect of closure, as well as defining a clearer process for amalgamations and mergers.

"It is a great loss that the Plaid-Labour Government voted against this positive measure which was even described by the conservatives as "straightforward and quite laudable". Their obstinate actions have left communities, parents and pupils without assurance of an effective and fair opportunity to voice their concerns and needs when considering school closure."