Cabinet agrees on draft primary school organisation policy

Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet members have approved a draft primary schools organisation policy which they say will safeguard the future education needs of children in the county. Councillors voted unanimously to approve the draft policy at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (28 November) after considering responses from 1,193 people during the consultation period. Following the vote, the policy will now go to a meeting of the full Council for councillors’ approval on Friday 14 December.

The county council asked for the views of the community on the proposed new policy for primary school organisation, which is necessary due to a continuing, significant fall in pupil numbers. Those views were incorporated into a draft vision and policy document, which Cabinet members discussed at their meeting.

Members of the public were welcome to attend the meeting at the Shirehall in Shrewsbury, and about 20 people sat and listened to the debate. Five people spoke at the start of the meeting to raise their concerns and issues directly to Cabinet members. Councillor Ann Hartley, Cabinet member for children’s services, thanked them for taking the time to speak at the meeting, and also thanked everyone who had responded to the consultation.

She said: “This is a very difficult decision and it takes a strong leadership to address the very serious challenge of falling school rolls. It is probably going to be the most important decision we have to make. However, I think it would be irresponsible not to address the issues and remedy them for the future.”

29 November 2007