I’ve been busy attending public meetings, answering piles of emails and letters and getting into discussions on Facebook about my views on the document regarding secondary schools in Powys. I’m currently on top of answering all correspondence and this now gives me a chance to blog my views.
This is all on a document for consultation about the re-organisation of secondary education in Powys. The document lists four options, options vary from the closing of Llanfair Caereinon, Llanfyllin and Llanidloes High Schools to the closure of sixth forms at there current locations.
I should say that no decisions have been made. The Council is only at the start of a process of reviewing its secondary schools.
I read the 38 page document through and I should say that the County Times did an excellent job of summarizing the report in last weeks edition.
Anyway, now my views, I disagree with all the options put forward in the document and I can not support or vote for any option which includes the closure of Llanfair Caereinon, Llanfyllin or Llanidloes High Schools. Indeed, I can not support the closure of any secondary high school in Powys, unless its what the schools and residents want.
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Full Council, Councillor Aled Davies, who also wants these 4 options to be binned, called for an emergency debate to discuss this issue. All members of the Conservative group on Powys County Council, of which I am a member, are against the closure of any secondary high school if against the wishes of the school and community.
I have been helping Parliamentary candidate Glyn Davies organise Public Meetings to fight these closures over the past week. Two meetings were held last week in Llanfair and Llanfyllin and this week meetings have been held in Welshpool and Llanidloes. I’ve been taking notes at the meetings and along with all the correspondence that I have received, I will be cousulting my colleagues to make sure that the issues raised are discussed in the forthcoming council debate.
One good thing to come from this, If I can say that, is the creation of the facebook site “No to the closure of Llanfair, Llanfyllin and Llanidloes High Schools!” One of my passions as a younger County Councillor (If I can say that also!) is too get younger people more involved in local issues and politics, and out to the polling station at election time.
The Facebook site very much helps this aim, so please visit it at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=272411473480&ref=ts
This is a subject with much more to run, so I will try and keep you updated.
Posted by russellgeorge 
