A packed public meeting was held on Friday to discuss local resident’s concerns regarding Denbighshire County Council's proposed closure of Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, near Ruthin.
In a meeting at the beginning of June, Denbighshire’s Cabinet agreed to proceed to formal consultation on the proposal to close the 150 year old school on August 31st 2016.
The original proposal was to close the school on August 31st last year, but at the end of January, the Education Minister, Huw Lewis AM, refused the proposal, much to the delight of parents, pupils and staff. However within just weeks of that decision Denbighshire County Council dropped the bombshell that it would again be considering closure. It is the first school in Wales to undergo a double consultation on its future.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar Chaired Friday’s a public meeting which took place at Llanbedr DC Village Hall. Rosalind Williams, the Diocesian Education Officer from the Diocese of St Asaph and local County Councillor Huw Williams were both in attendance and addressed those who gathered.
Darren said:
“The meeting was set up to inform locals about the latest plans and to encourage them to respond to the public consultation which is now underway.
“It was very well attended showing that this fantastic school is the heart of the local community and that parents, pupils and staff are not prepared to give up the fight to secure its future. It has a distinctive and valued ethos as a small rural Church school and to lose it would be devastating.
“I know many responded to the first consultation and I would urge all those against the plans to ensure they do so again this time around. The deadline for submissions is July 28th 2015.”
The consultation document is available at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations and responses to be sent to: FAO Modernising Education Team
County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN or modernisingeducation@denbighshire.gov.uk
Response can also be completed electronically at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Llanbedr
Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar at Friday’s public meeting to discuss Denbighshire council's proposed closure of Llanbedr School.