Mold school governors issue legal letter to council over super school plans
Governors at a Catholic Primary School earmarked for closure as part of a super-school plan for Flintshire have formally warned the council they are considering a Judicial Review.
Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet is due to meet next week to make a final decision on the Catholic Schools reorganisation – the closure of Catholic primary schools St David’s in Mold, St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint along with St Richard Gwyn High School in Flint.
The plan, in partnership with the Diocese of Wrexham, is to replace them with a Catholic super-school for children aged 3-18 in Flint.
The Board of Governors at St David’s has now issued the authority with a legal letter via the London law firm Addleshaw Goddard highlighting a number of concerns they believe could be contested from a legal standpoint.
In the letter, the Governors raise a number of concerns around the public consultation and the most recent report submitted to the authority’s Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It also states that if the super-school plans are approved next week, it could proceed to a Judicial Review.
“We understand the number of responses provided to the public consultation is unprecedented in the history of the council,” the letter states.
“Those responses have highlighted the significant detrimental impact the potential closure of St David’s will have, which have also been voiced by the local action group and which have received support from Baroness Fox.
“We are reviewing the legality of the council’s consultation process and have identified a number of areas of serious concern should the council proceed with a decision to close St David’s.
“We must expressly reserve our client’s rights to take further action, including the issue of formal Judicial Review proceedings should that become necessary.”
One of the main points of concern raised by the Governors are Flintshire County Council’s decision to only take into account 2,372 of the 4,196 objections raised during the consultation process as part of the final report to Cabinet.
Last month the authority told members of the Education and Youth Overview and Scrutiny Committee that this was done due to duplication or submissions where two or more reasons for objection were closely matched.
Addleshaw Goddard also highlighted concerns over the impact assessments in relation to school transport and additional learning needs provision and the use of prudential borrowing to fund the super-school.
Cabinet is expected to consider its decision on the super-school plans on Tuesday, March 10.
Claire Homard, Flintshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Education and Youth, said: “We recognise the strength of feeling within the community and respect the contributions of governors, parents, and staff.
“However, the council must consider the long‑term needs of Catholic education across Flintshire.
“All representations received will be weighed carefully before any decision is taken. Our priority remains securing the best educational outcomes for children and young people now and into the future.
“The council does not comment on matters that are subject to legal privilege. We are aware of the correspondence referred to and will respond through the appropriate channels, and it would be inappropriate to provide further detail at this time.”
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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