A Powys councillor has criticised the council’s decision to bring forward the closure of the Cradoc campus of Ysgol Golwg Pen y Fan.

The closure was originally expected when the new Brecon school building is completed, but the council says declining pupil numbers mean the Cradoc site cannot continue operating in the meantime and could now close at the end of August.

Cllr Iain McIntosh (Reform UK – Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew) described the decision as “deeply disappointing” and said it would be “devastating for families who have already endured months of uncertainty.” He added that the drop in pupil numbers “did not happen in isolation,” pointing to the removal of wraparound provision and the loss of the school playground as contributing factors.

He also questioned the council’s transparency, saying repeated requests for clarity on the campus’s true pupil capacity had gone unanswered. “We have seen conflicting figures published, and even changes made after the public consultation period had ended. That is simply not acceptable when such an important decision is being taken.”

Cllr McIntosh said attempts to raise concerns directly at Cabinet meetings had previously been blocked. “Given that history, and the fact that my written concerns were already on record yet still ignored, there was no realistic prospect that speaking today would have changed the outcome. That in itself raises serious questions about how open and accountable this decision-making process truly is,” he said.

He added: “I will continue pressing for full transparency about how this process has been handled, from start to finish. Cradoc families deserve honest answers, and our children deserve far better than this.”

During yesterday’s meeting, education portfolio holder Cllr James Gibson-Watt said running the school across three sites is “extremely stressful and difficult to do” and that declining pupil numbers made the closure necessary.

Cabinet member for adult services Cllr Pete Roberts said capacity numbers were “just muddying the waters” and said that even with the lowest figure being quoted “you’re looking at over 80 per cent spare capacity.”

The next stage will be a legal period for objections, followed by a further report to the Cabinet later this year before a final decision is made.