School closure plans need change to reduce uncertainty

There are 19 school closure reorganisations awaiting determination in Wales

There should be changes to the way plans to close schools are handled, two assembly opposition parties say.

The Conservatives want improved consultation with the public and the Liberal Democrats say delays in decisions are causing uncertainty.

Average decision times on closure plans have been 32 weeks, with some taking up to a year, research has shown.

Responding to the research, the assembly government said it tried to make decisions as quickly as possible.

However, it argued complex plans could "take time".

If closure plans made by a local council are challenged, the education minister makes the final decision.

On average, it has taken 32 weeks since a proposal was published for a decision to be made by the minister, and in some cases it has taken almost a year.

In some parts of Wales, there are more places available in schools than there are pupils to fill them, which has led to reorganisation plans, including some closures.

'First class education'

In an assembly debate on Wednesday afternoon, the Conservatives argued there should be full consultations made on any plans to close schools.

Education spokesman Paul Davies AM said: "It is fundamental that we ensure that before a school is closed, a proper and robust consultation process should be conducted.

"Consultation must be put in place at an early stage of a proposed school closure.

It is utterly wrong that they then prolong the uncertainty for parents and pupils and teachers for months and months Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Jenny Randerson

"The assembly government needs to establish a clearer schools closure strategy that listens to all concerns and ensures that all children in Wales are able to access a first class education.

"I would urge the minister to re-evaluate the current consultation process with immediate effect."

In written answers to Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Jenny Randerson, Education Minister Leighton Andrews said there were 19 school reorganisations currently awaiting determination.

Ms Randerson called for a "new deal" on school reorganisations.

'In limbo'

"It shouldn't be forgotten that it is the Welsh Assembly Government which is demanding that local authorities take action on surplus places," she said.

"Therefore it is utterly wrong that they then prolong the uncertainty for parents and pupils and teachers for months and months."

She said it was "unfair and unacceptable" to keep people in limbo for up to a year.

"It is important that proposals receive very careful scrutiny and consideration, but if you can reorganise the entire health service in a couple of months, it shouldn't take this long to review these proposals," Ms Randerson added.

"From a government which attaches targets and regulations to everything short of breathing, I would expect a bit more discipline to deal with proposals in a timely and fair way."

Mr Andrews noted in his responses to Ms Randerson that the assembly government does not usually receive proposals from the local council until 13 weeks after they are published.

Watch live coverage of the debate on BBC Democracy Live from 5.30pm