PARENTS of pupils at an at-risk primary school will now have until the end of the summer term to have their say after the council agreed to extend all school consultations.

The move was dubbed a ‘small victory’ by one campaigning parent.

Carmarthenshire council’s executive board met on Monday, March 1, and decided to extend the consultation periods for five school proposals in the county, including a review of primary education provision in the Blaenau and Llandybie areas.

This could lead to Blaenau school closing and a new one being built nearby to serve the two existing schools.

Further consultations include:

• Proposal to review primary education provision in the Mynydd-y-Garreg and Gwenllian areas

• Proposal to change the age range of Swiss Valley School from 4-11 to 3-11

• Proposal to re-design and remodel behaviour support services at Ysgol Rhydygors to improve provision for children and young people

• Proposal to change the nature of provision at Ysgol Y Felin

It follows a Notice of Motion which was submitted to Full Council on February 10 on whether it is appropriate to consult on education provision during the pandemic.

Welsh Government has also published new non-statutory guidance on best practice in regard to consultation on school organisation proposals during the pandemic in which it recommends that consultation periods should be lengthened to allow as many people as possible to consider the proposal and have their say.

Public opinions sought over Ysgol Blaenau school closure proposal

Public opinions sought over Ysgol Blaenau school closure proposal

Cllr Glynog Davies, the Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “We have to remember the restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic do not mean statutory proposals for school reorganisation cannot take place.

"However, local authorities should consider the implications of those restrictions and take every step possible to make sure that consultations are fair and inclusive recognising the unique circumstances in which they are taking place during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The non-statutory guidance was published by Welsh Government two days after we passed the Notice of Motion in full council.

"It says where possible we should consider whether to postpone consultations or extend the timeline to allow as many people as possible to have their say. Although we are not required to hold consultation meetings, the code also recognises these can be very helpful to disseminate information and for people to express their views.

“We as a council are encouraging people to go to ‘drop in’ sessions and virtual meetings and of course they can write to us and phone us directly. It says we should take every step to get over any barriers to consultations and as a county we have done that.

"I do however propose that we extend the consultation period for these projects in relation to the School Organisation Code until end of the summer term, that is Friday July 16.”

Council Leader Emlyn Dole said an extension to July 16 would also give people time to prepare an alternative business plan if they wished to do so and officers could advise them on the required content of that type of plan if they wanted, for example, the community of Mynydd-y-Garreg who have expressed their concerns.

Cllr Cefn Campbell seconded Cllr Davies’s proposal adding: “I think it is a wise and sensible motion under the circumstances, Cllr Davies has stated that throughout we have followed the guidelines under the School Organisation Code. But this gives every opportunity for parents and staff and everyone else to give their opinions. The response we have had so far has proven that our consultation has been very effective, but this would allow more time and show that we are willing to be flexible as well, as the guidelines have changed since that original Notice of Motion.”

Cllr Davies added: “In the last full council meeting I stated that we were complying with Welsh Government guidelines, and that is what we are doing today.”

The consultations will now close on Friday, July 16. If you have already submitted your views you do not need to re-submit them.

One parent of a pupil at Blaenau school said it was a "small victory" for parents.

Following the meeting, Carmarthenshire council opposition Labour leader Cllr Rob James said: “Plaid Cymru councillors have known for months that they had the power to delay the consultation and ease the stress placed on families, yet they refused to do so.

"It was only after our continuing pressure to extend the consultation, have they finally conceded and extended the consultation until the end of the summer term.

"We will now work closely with the parents and pupils of these schools to ensure that their voice is heard loud and clear on these proposals."