Deadline set for comments on Flint super school proposal
Final public comments on plans to close four catholic schools in Flintshire and replace them with a super-school in Flint must be submitted by December 15.
After efforts by opposition councillors to force the council to reconsider the plans failed, the objection period – the next statutory phase of the plan – opened on Monday, November 17.
All feedback on the plans – whether in support or opposition – must be received by Flintshire County Council by 11.59pm on Monday, December 15.
According to the proposals, Flintshire County Council and the Diocese of Wrexham will close St David’s Catholic Primary School in Mold, St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint.
They will also close St Richard Gwyn High School in Flint. On the site of St Richard Gwyn and St Mary’s will be built a £55 million super-school for pupils aged 3-18.
It will be funded 85% by Welsh Government – through its Sustainable Communities for Learning fund – and 15% through Flintshire County Council borrowing – a cost to the authority of around £8.5 million.
Once built the school will be owned by the Diocese of Wrexham.
Earlier this month councillors called-in the proposals over concerns that Cabinet had failed to properly consider the views of consultees.
A public consultation over the summer attracted more than 2,000 respondents with 96% against the plans.
But the call-in was voted down, with councillors agreeing to note the proposals without endorsing them – a decision which allowed the process of consulting on the plans to continue.
A spokesperson for the St David’s Action Group – a group of parents, former pupils and parishioners opposed to the closure of the school said.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the six councillors who showed their support at the call-in. Your support is both seen and appreciated.
“We also acknowledge the local councillors and Senedd members who have publicly opposed and continue to challenge the proposed closure of St. David’s Primary School in Mold and St. Anthony’s Primary School in Saltney. Your commitment to protecting our schools and our community does not go unnoticed.
“Despite clear, consistent, and overwhelming opposition from the community, the Education and Scrutiny Committee has chosen to press ahead with a proposal that disregards both the evidence and the values of fairness and inclusion that should underpin all public education policy.
“To ‘note’ the objections of more than 2,000 residents and yet continue unchanged suggests that the consultation was never intended to influence the outcome. Such an approach renders the process meaningless and erodes public confidence in local governance.
“The committee also continues to ignore the clear discriminatory impact of this proposal on children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
“The only reassurance offered was that the new school would include ‘quiet rooms’ a superficial response that fails entirely to recognise the substantial body of evidence that large-scale schools are not suitable environments for many ALN pupils.”
Anyone with views on the proposals must send them in writing to:
School Modernisation Team, Flintshire County Council, Ty Dewi Sant, St David’s Park, Ewloe, Flintshire CH5 3FF or email [email protected] to arrive before 11.59pm on Monday, December 15.
Any feedback submitted must contain the full name and postal address of the objector.
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
