Plans to close 29 schools revised

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Controversial plans to close 27 schools in Gwynedd should be reviewed, says a new report for councillors next week.

However two schools, with just 11 pupils between them, should still shut according to recommendations ahead of a council debate on 5 June.

It follows widespread protests about the closure proposals which led to the formation of a new political party.

Falling pupil numbers and a need to save money was given as the reason for the proposals.

In the report received by councillors, recommendations have been made to review the proposals to close 27 schools.

But the council is recommended to press ahead with plans to shut two small schools.

These invovlve Ysgol Rhydyclafdy on the Llyn peninsula, which has four pupils with two expected to leave in July and five-pupil Ysgol Croesor, near Penrhyndeudraeth, where pupil numbers are expected to fall to two students.

Protests

Gwynedd Council said looking at school closures was necessary due to a need to save money and falling pupil numbers.

But plans for school closures resulted in strong opposition and a number of protests were held.

A new political party was also formed to fight the changes and Llais Gwynedd (Gwynedd Voice) won 12 seats at the local elections earlier this month.

Iwan Trefor Jones, the council's strategic director of development said: "From the start, it was recognised that the original draft proposals would be revised and adapted following a thorough consultation period.

"We have listened to the feedback received and it is recommended that a working group is set up to consider how to move forward to the next phase in view of the linguistic impact assessment, a new demographic study and the comments received during the recent consultation period."

The group will include, councillors, headteachers and relevant officers.

Closing two small schools could generate saving that could be used to reduce class sizes in schools where this was a problem, Mr Jones added.

The children and young people's scrutiny committee will discuss the latest report on 5 June.