No. | Item | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Question from: County Councillor John Morris Subject: School Closures
Question:
At the Cabinet meeting on 9th February 2021 you proposed and the Cabinet unanimously agreed to commence the statutory process to proceed to close 4 primary schools in Powys.
At that time and prior to the decision on 9th February 2021, had you and/or your staff been made aware of the Welsh Government’s Consultation on School organisation proposals during the Coronavirus pandemic and the Welsh Government guidance to assist proposers to undertake consultation whilst restrictions are in place? If so, were the Cabinet made aware of this prior to the Cabinet meeting and decision?
Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
The Transforming Education Team had been made aware prior to the Cabinet meeting on the 9th March that the Welsh Government was planning to publish a non-statutory guidance about conducting school reorganisation consultations during the pandemic, but were assured that consultations could still be undertaken in the current circumstances. The guidance was issued on the 12th March. The Team have taken additional steps to ensure that any consultations that started after the 12th March to ensure that consultations are fair and inclusive recognising the unique circumstances in which they are taking place during the coronavirus pandemic, e.g. extending the time period, creating a video to inform stakeholders, publicising the consultation in local newspapers and putting posters in local areas, advising of the consultation.
|