MS for Brecon and Radnorshire James Evans has said the decision to close a rural primary school is "a huge slap in the face" for the community.

At a Powys County Council Cabinet meeting today, councillors voted in favour of closing Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School, known as Dolau, next year.

The school was due to close in the summer, but this was pushed back to August 2023.

Mr Evans and colleague Fay Jones MP have campaigned against the closure of the school.

During a visit to the Senedd by Dolau pupils and teachers in October this year, the school thanked Mr Evans for his continued support.

Mr Evans said: “It's a disgrace that Dolau School is going to be shut down by the Liberal Democrat-run Powys Council.

“I had the pleasure of welcoming Dolau pupils and teachers to the Senedd earlier this year - it's a huge slap in the face that their school is being closed.

“Our rural communities desperately need schools like Llanfihangel Rhydithon - they play a huge role in the wellbeing of the community and every generation of children.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member Jane Dodds has described the decision to close the school as a tragedy for rural communities and a setback for Welsh Language efforts.

She said closing the school was a "significant mistake".

She has however, welcomed moves to reconsider options to keep Llanbedr Church in Wales School open.

Ms Dodds said: “I am pleased that the cabinet have made moves to continue to examine how Llanbedr Church in Wales School can remain open, it is a vibrant and healthy school in an amazing community and this was the right decision. Federating the school with others in the area in my opinion would help keep these communities alive.

“However, the cabinet’s decision not to find a way to reverse the decision of the previous Independent and Conservative Administration’s decision to close Dolau is in my opinion a significant mistake."

In November last year, Ms Dodds said that if the Welsh Liberal Democrats were to take control of Powys County Council next year, they would "halt all rural school closures".

Ms Dodds said: “I have always opposed the closure of Dolau and will continue to do so. The closure of rural schools has a significant effect on a rural community remaining viable. If the school closes, children could potentially be attending up to eight other primary schools, with significant environmental and cost affects."

“When proposals were brought forward to transition the school to Welsh Medium education the community, governors, staff and children embraced the concept with open arms. It is not clear to me why this proposal could not have been pushed forward. I continue to believe this option should be given more consideration."

Ms Dodds said she will be writing the Welsh Education Minister immediately to express her concerns on school closures in rural communities, and over stumbling blocks to set up new centres of Welsh medium education.