Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: Anger as Abertillery school plan announced
Quote:
PROTESTORS opposing the closure of a Valleys school claim its consultation process has been undermined.
Campaigners who are fighting to keep Nantyglo Comprehensive open were angry when the Assembly announced Abertillery Comprehensive would get a £1.85million grant to expand the school - which they argue appears to be to cater for the former Nantyglo pupils who would go there if the school closed.
Last month council leaders voted unanimously to close Nantyglo and a two-month formal consultation period was entered into.
The final decision will be made by Assembly education minister Jane Hutt and if she approves the plans, Nantyglo will close on August 31, 2010.
Pupils would then go to Abertillery Comprehensive, with sixth-form pupils attending Brynmawr Foundation School.
Abertillery would be expanded to increase its capacity from 920 to 1,100 at a cost of £3.5 million.
It was announced on Friday that Abertillery would receive £1.85m from the Assembly to build a two-classroom extension and improve dining, toilet and staff room facilities.
Helen Howell of King Street, Nantyglo, whose 11-year-old son Joshua goes to the school, said she felt this announcement undermined the two-month consultation period because it suggested the school needed to be expanded for former Nantyglo pupils.
She said: "We're hearing about this funding for extensions and classrooms when the final decision hasn't been made yet. It seems to be undermining the consultation period."
The Assembly said the grants were approved without prejudicing any future decisions on statutory school organisation proposals which may relate to them.
Mrs Howell and other protestors have organised a public meeting to discuss the closure of the school, what will happen to the site and whether the Nantyglo Sports Centre, which is on the school site, will stay open.
They distributed 4,000 flyers informing local residents about the meeting over the weekend, at which they will question councillors and canvass opinion.
The public meeting takes place tomorrow at 7pm at Nantyglo Rugby Club in Porters Road.
Funding is separate - leader
The leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Des Hillman said the consultation process has been carried out above and beyond the requirements and that the funding is a separate matter that should be taken up with the Assembly.
"All the council has done is to gather evidence and is carrying out formal consultation," said Cllr Hillman.
"Any announcement of funding for Abertillery Comprehensive should be taken up with the Minister at the Assembly," he added.
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