CALLS have been made for a crisis meeting at Powys council after news the county’s recently appointed head of education is to leave the authority.

Dr Alec Clark is quitting the post he was only appointed to in September last year to take a new position in England.

Councillor James Gibson-Watt, the leader of the county council’s opposition Liberal Democrat group, has called for the council’s chief executive to call a meeting of all group leaders.

He said the council’s schools are facing a crises with total deficit budgets approaching £4 million.

Cllr Gibson-Watt said: "The schools system in Powys is at an unprecedented level of uncertainty at the moment. With a number of schools falling into serious deficit budget positions, especially in the secondary sector; a general deterioration in the financial position of schools across the county; an urgent need to improve and reform sixth form and further education; and now the imminent departure of the head of the schools service, the council needs to establish a cross-party approach to create a coherent strategic vision for the Powys education system that can command support across the council.

“I have written to the chief executive to request that she calls group leaders together to discuss these vital issues as soon as possible.”

Powys council chief executive Dr Caroline Turner said: "We can confirm that Dr Alec Clark, head of education Service, had been offered, and has accepted, a post as a director of an education trust in the south of England. Alec will be leaving Powys County Council at the end of August. This is an important post within the council, and I will want to discuss future arrangements with the appointments panel as soon as possible.

"Alec has only been with us for a short time, but has made an important contribution to the work of the council and to supporting our schools over the past nine months. I wish Alec well as he embarks on a new phase in his career."

Some councillors had previously raised concerns at how the post of director of education was combined with head of social services.