Cllr Iain McIntosh has formally submitted a series of questions at any time to Powys County Council following the publication of the consultation report into the proposed early closure of the Cradoc campus of Ysgol Golwg Pen y Fan.

The report reveals that the Council has now produced a third different capacity figure for the Cradoc building.

Cllr McIntosh raised concerns over the differing figures. He said: “Over recent years, the public and Cabinet were told the school had a capacity of 175 pupils. The 2025 consultation document stated 158. The Consultation Report now introduces a new figure of 149. Three different figures for the same building.

“That alone raises serious questions about the reliability of the data that has underpinned key decisions affecting the future of Cradoc.

“Capacity numbers were central to the narrative that Cradoc was ‘significantly undersubscribed’. They informed merger decisions, strategic planning and submissions to Welsh Government. If those figures were wrong, then the decisions taken on the back of them must be examined.

“What is particularly concerning is that this latest 149 figure was not included in the consultation document itself. It only appears after the consultation period has closed. Cabinet may now be asked to make a decision based on information that was never properly consulted upon.

“In addition, many of the substantive concerns raised by parents and the community, including the double move for pupils, the loss of wraparound care, the closure of the best-condition building while retaining poorer ones, and the treatment of the rural presumption, have been acknowledged but not meaningfully addressed.

“This is not a minor administrative discrepancy. It goes to the heart of governance, transparency and trust.”

He added: “If the Council has required three attempts to identify the true capacity of the building, it is reasonable for residents to ask whether the original case for closure was built on sound evidence or on a predetermined outcome.

“I have therefore asked for full transparency, publication of the detailed capacity calculations, clarification of whether Welsh Government has been notified of the revised figures, and consideration of an independently verified remeasurement before any further steps are taken.

“The future of a rural campus and the stability of children’s education should not rest on uncertain data.

“I will continue to press for clarity and accountability on behalf of the local community.”

In response to Councillor Iain McIntosh, a spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “Powys County Council is proposing to close the Cradoc campus of Ysgol Golwg Pen y Fan and carried out a consultation on the proposal between November and December 2025. The findings of the consultation will be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday, February 24.

“A formal response from the Cabinet Member will be issued and published within 10 working days. This is part of the process of questions at any time to Cabinet Portfolio Holders.”