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School Closures

Motion or resolution considered by Powys County Council

This motion was heard on 22/07/2022. It was proposed by Iain McIntosh and seconded by Karl Lewis .

Motion as voted upon

The current Welsh school closure programme started when the previous Labour and Liberal Democrat Welsh Government administration was in power, with Kirsty Williams MS as Education Minister. Since then, local authorities throughout Wales have taken decisions to close primary schools. The following three schools now face closure in Powys:

Cradoc CP School
Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School
Llanbedr Church in Wales School

During the closure process, the proposals to close the above three schools went through the Learning and Skills Scrutiny committee, chaired by the Liberal Democrat Councillor Cllr Pete Roberts.

On 8th December the Learning and Skills scrutiny group met to consider the closure of Cradoc CP School; 2021-12-08 Scrutiny Recs to Cabinet - Cradoc and Mount Street v2.pdf (moderngov.co.uk). The chairman made no objections to the proposal and submitted observations with four additional recommendations.

On 22nd September the Learning and Skills scrutiny group met to consider the closure of Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School; 2021-09-22 Scrutiny Recs to Cabinet - Llanfihangel Rhydithon.pdf (moderngov.co.uk). The chairman made no objections to the proposal and submitted observations to include the comment “The committee was satisfied that the majority of the arguments set out in the document were justified on all grounds.”

On 4th November the Learning and Skills scrutiny group met to consider the closure of Llanbedr Church in Wales School; 2021-11-04 Scrutiny Recs to Cabinet - Llanbedr.pdf (moderngov.co.uk). The chairman made no objections to the proposal and submitted observations to include the comment “There were no recommendations from scrutiny to the cabinet.”.

Despite the Learning and Skills Scrutiny committee chair’s apparent satisfaction with the three primary school closure proposals, Welsh Liberal Democrat candidates now forming the new Powys County Council administration campaigned, and committed, to reverse the closure of primary schools in Powys during the recent County Council election campaign:

On 29th January 2022, 13th February 2022 and 14th May 2022, several Liberal Democrat Council candidates, Councillors, and current Cabinet members joined Powys residents on protest walks and campaign days to fight against the closure of the three schools above. On 23rd January 2022 several Labour candidates, councillors and a current Cabinet member joined Powys residents on a protest walk to fight against the closure of Cradoc CP School, Mount Street Infants School, and Mount Street Primary School. During this year’s County Council election campaign period, Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates informed Powys residents, through campaign literature, social media, and doorstep conversations that if elected, and in control of this authority, they would stop the closure of the three schools above. Since taking control of this authority in May, the new administration has failed to carry out their commitment to Powys residents. Instead, the Leader has announced that Llanfihangel Rhydithon and Llanbedr school closures will be delayed for one calendar year, offering false hope to parents, teachers, and children, as council officers have confirmed that both schools will still close.

The Leader and new Cabinet members have now revealed plans to proceed with the proposal to close Cradoc CP School, going against commitments made to all residents, teachers, parents and children in Powys.

This council therefore calls upon the new Powys County Council administration to:

Keep Cradoc CP School open.
Not propose the closure of Cradoc CP School again during the next five-year term.

For - 14
(23.7%)
Against - 41
(69.5%)
Abstained - 4
(6.8%)

Result: Not Passed
Vote Requirement: Simple Majority

  Voting Record

Below is the individual voting record for all councillors on this motion/resolution.

Name Ward Party Vote
Baynham, Beverley Presteigne  Independent Group Against
Bebb, Danny Churchstoke  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Beecham, Matt Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower  Non-Affiliated Against
Beecham, Sarah-Jane Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower  Non-Affiliated Against
Berriman, Jake Llandrindod North  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Breeze, Ben Kerry  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
Breeze, Graham Welshpool Llanerchyddol  Independent Group Against
Brighouse, Little Disserth and Trecoed with Newbridge  Non-Affiliated Against
Cartwright, Anita Talybont-on-Usk  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Charlton, Jackie Llangattock and Llangynidr  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Church, Richard Welshpool Castle  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Colbert, Tom Bronllys and Felin-fach  Non-Affiliated Against
Cox, Sian Llangors with Bwlch  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Davies, Aled Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
Davies, Angela Rhayader  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Davies, Bryan Llanafanfawr with Garth  Independents for Powys Group For
Davies, Bryn Banwy, Llanfihangel and Llanwddyn  Plaid Cymru Group Did not vote
Davies, Sandra Cwm-twrch  Welsh Labour Group Against
Dorrance, Matthew Brecon West  Welsh Labour Group Against
Edwards, Deb Llangunllo with Norton  Non-Affiliated For
Ewing, Josie Llandrindod South  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
George, Les Caersws  Welsh Conservatives Group For
Gibson-Watt, James Glasbury  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Harrison, Ian Guilsfield  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
Healy, Kelly Newtown Central and South  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Hulme, Heulwen Rhiwcynon  Independent Group Did not vote
James, Peter Llanwrtyd Wells  Independent Group For
Jenner, Amanda Trelystan and Trewern  Welsh Conservatives Group Did not vote
Johnson-Wood, Claire Llanyre with Nantmel  Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Adrian Berriew and Castle Caereinion  Welsh Conservatives Group For
Jones, Arwel Llandysilio  Independent Group Abstained
Jones, Ed Old Radnor  Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Gareth D Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl  Independent Group Against
Jones, Gareth E Llanelwedd  Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Joy Newtown East  Non-Affiliated Abstained
Kennerley, Adam Newtown North  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Kenyon-Wade, Corinna Knighton with Beguildy  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Lewington, Pete Newtown West  Welsh Conservatives Group Did not vote
Lewis, Karl Llandinam with Dolfor  Welsh Conservatives Group For
Lewis, Peter Llanfyllin  Welsh Conservatives Group Did not vote
Lloyd, William Gwernyfed  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
McIntosh, Iain Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew  Welsh Conservatives Group For
McNicholas, Susan Ynyscedwyn  Welsh Labour Group Against
Meredith, David Brecon West  Welsh Labour Group Against
Mitchell, Gary Llanbrynmair  Plaid Cymru Group Did not vote
Morgan, Gareth Llanidloes  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Morgan, Geoff Ithon Valley  Non-Affiliated For
Powell, William Talgarth  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Did not vote
Preston, Glyn Llanidloes  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Pugh, Gareth Dolforwyn  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
Pugh, Jeremy Builth  Independents for Powys Group For
Ratcliffe, Gareth Hay  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Abstained
Rijnenberg, Liz Brecon East  Welsh Labour Group Against
Roberts, Lucy Llandrinio  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
Roberts, Pete Llandrindod South  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Robinson, Carol Welshpool Gungrog  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Roderick, Edwin Maescar and Llywel  Independent Group Against
Selby, David Newtown Central and South  Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Against
Thomas, David Tawe Uchaf  Welsh Labour Group Against
Thomas, Gwynfor Llansantffraid  Welsh Conservatives Group Against
  Against
Vaughan, Elwyn Glantwymyn  Plaid Cymru Group Abstained
Walsh, Chris Brecon East  Welsh Labour Group Against
Wilkinson, Jonathan Llangyniew and Meifod  Welsh Conservatives Group For
Williams, Ange Knighton with Beguildy  Independents for Powys Group For
Williams, Huw Aber-craf and Ystradgynlais  Welsh Labour Group Did not vote
Williams, Michael Machynlleth  Independent Group Against
Williams, Sarah Aber-craf and Ystradgynlais  Welsh Labour Group Did not vote

Source: Voting Record