Russell George, AM for Montgomeryshire, has asked Powys County Council to comment on reports from disappointed residents that the organisation responsible for undertaking a series of sessions to explain Powys County Council’s proposals for secondary education, Sbectrwm Cyf, have failed to give parents and interested parties the opportunity to discuss the process in an open and transparent way.
Mr George said:
“I am deeply disappointed at reports from constituents at the unprofessional way in which some of the drop in sessions have been conducted.
“I have received several complaints about the way in which a representative from Sbectrwm Cyf failed to allow people to ask questions and treated parents in an “abrupt, condescending and confrontational” way.
“Other reports stated that Sbectrwm failed to explain the proposals clearly; gave incorrect or misleading information; denied parents the opportunity to discuss the provision of Welsh language medium education; and did not allow parents to ask questions, express their views or participate in the sessions.
“For parents to be treated with such a cavalier disregard makes a mockery of the consultation process. Some now feel that the whole consultation process is a sham and a foregone conclusion.
This is clearly unacceptable and answers are now needed from Powys County Council on what it is going to do to ensure that it is confident that the work carried out by its contractors is of a consistent and high quality.
The secondary school reorganisation in Powys is a matter of huge importance which could have significant implications for parents, pupils and communities across Powys. It is therefore essential that parents are given ample opportunity to fully participate in the process.”