Policy Commission for school provision to be set up

Shropshire County Council is setting up a cross-party group to discuss the future of school provision in the county.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of a report presented to the full Council meeting on Friday (22 February), which recommended the formation of a Policy Commission to consider current school organisation policy in terms of school place planning, including revenue and capital implications.

Councillors also agreed to request the Chief Executive to advise on the procedure to select an independent chair for the group, and examine the feasibility of inviting Herefordshire Council to join the process.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The Policy Commission will be made up of a broad range of partners, including teachers, governors, parent governors, union and diocesan representatives, as well as councillors from all political parties. We are not going to rush this – we have to give people the opportunity to have their say and give ourselves enough time to listen and digest those comments.”

Councillor Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire County Council, said: “The current administration will not close any of the 22 schools listed in the report discussed by Cabinet on 30 January. I await eagerly the outcomes of the Policy Commission, but it will take as long as it needs to come up with a suggested way forward.”

25 February 2008