Update on Council school organisational proposals

The Chief Officer for Education and Youth at Flintshire County Council has confirmed that the consultation processes around the two major school reorganisation proposals will need to begin again after the Senedd elections.

The Cabinet decision to consider the outcome of the statutory objections on both proposals was paused on 10th March when a late legal challenge was received in relation to the Catholic proposal. The Council sought its own legal advice regarding this challenge and is in the process of reviewing the feedback from its barrister.

With the Senedd elections due to take place on 7th May, all public bodies are now bound by rules governing activity during the formal ‘pre-election period’ which starts at 9am on Wednesday 25th March. During this period, the Council is required to delay items that may be considered controversial. While the school organisation proposals are pressing, they are not sufficiently urgent to need consideration during the pre-election period. The School Organisation Code also stipulates a fixed time period for school reorganisation proposals to be concluded following the start of public consultation. With the delay because of the pre-election period, this timescale cannot be met. As a result, the consultation processes for both proposals will need to begin again.

Claire Homard said:

“We appreciate that all of the school communities impacted by these proposals need clarity about what is happening and acknowledge the frustration that these delays will be causing, but the Council needs to ensure that appropriate processes are followed and that legal advice has been fully considered. I can confirm that we will be seeking Cabinet approval to restart the consultation on both proposals in May, as soon as it is practicably possible after the election.

"I can also confirm that we will reflect on the result of the first consultation in relation to both proposals to improve how we communicate on issues of concern to the school communities, parents and carers.”