Formal consultation on the closure a small mid-Powys primary school will get underway next year, Powys County Council’s cabinet has agreed.
The cabinet approved a recommendation to start formal consultation on the closure of Nantmel Church in Wales School with effect from December 31, 2016 with Rhayader Primary School named as the alternative school, when it met on Tuesday.
Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Arwel Jones said: “The council has been reviewing a number of small schools across the county in-line with the School Transformation Policy and has agreed to carry out consultation on the closure of Nantmel C in W primary school because of low pupil numbers, surplus capacity and because the cost of maintaining the school is above the county average.
“We intend carrying out consultation with all stakeholders early next year in-line with Welsh Government policy when everyone will have an opportunity to express their views.”
The Cabinet will also approved consultation on the closure of the Welsh-stream at Ysgol Dolafon, Llanwrtyd Wells and to approve the publication of Statutory Notices in relation to the closure of the Specialist Centre at Crickhowell Primary School.
“Pupil numbers in the Welsh-stream at Ysgol Dolafon have fallen to just nine in recent years and they are not expected to increase significantly in the coming years. The Cabinet has approved the start of consultation on its closure from August 31, 2016. This would also be carried out early next year,” said Cllr Jones.
“There are currently no pupils in the Specialist Centre at Crickhowell and the Cabinet has agreed to publish Statutory Notices proposing closure of the unit from March 31, 2016. Consultation on the plans took place during October and November.”