A PETITION to prevent the closure of a village primary school on the Powys-Shropshire border has drawn more than 1,400 signatures. Churchstoke Community Primary School is one of four schools that have been earmarked for closure by September 2022. Powys County Council’s Cabinet agreed to start the statutory process and consultation on the proposals will is expected to start by the end of this month. More than 1,400 people have signed a change.org petition which launched three weeks ago calling for Powys County Council to “save our school, save our children, save our families and save our community”. There are currently 38 pupils enrolled at the school, with seven joining in September and four progressing to secondary school.
Plans to close four rural schools in Powys by August 2022 have been criticised by the Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats. Senedd election candidate Alison Alexander said the timing of the announcement made by Powys Council was dreadful for families and teachers Next week, the Cabinet will be asked to start the statutory process to close Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School, Churchstoke County Primary School, Llanbedr Church in Wales School and Llanfihangel Rhydithon County Primary School. A consultation is expected to start later this month if it is given the go-ahead.
READ MORE: Mrs Alexander said: Many parents and teachers in affected villages will be reading the statements from Conservative-Independent-run Powys County Council Cabinet trumpeting ambitious plans for ‘educational transformation’ only to be horrified to find this actually means their local schools are ear-marked for closure as part of this ‘grand project’.
Neuadd Maldwyn Graphic - how it could look when finished. DECISIONS on planning applications for a £11.6 million transformation of Welshpool’s Neuadd Maldwyn into flats for older people, will ultimately be decided by the Welsh Government. The application by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association to turn the Grade II listed building into 66 one and two-bedroom apartments, could be “called in” to be decided by the Welsh Government. This meant that a decision made by PCC’s Planning committee at their meeting on Friday, January 22, to approve the plans, is for the time being only a “recommendation.” The Welsh Government will inform the authority 21 days after receiving all the relevant documentation whether they are going ahead with a call in, or not.