Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 11:16am

Parents to have say on schools future

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Plarents of children at Claremont Primary (pictured) and St Johns Primary will be "fully consulted".

PARENTS of both St John's and Claremont Primaries will be consulted in a "full, open and non-predetermined" manner over the future of the schools, councillors have agreed.

Clackmannanshire Council had previously consulted on merging the two schools into one new building - creating the biggest primary in the county with 473 pupils - at the Redwell playing fields in Alloa.

However, at a meeting earlier last month the results of the consultation were withdrawn as the process had breached government guidelines by failing to include an educational benefits statement and HMIE report.

On Thursday, SNP councillors Gary Womersley and Mark English presented a report to a special council meeting calling for the new consultation, expected in the autumn, not to be restricted to only one option - namely the merger and development at Redwell - but "pursue the community's views on all options stated in the original business case".

It followed a report to council in December last year that included a "multi-option business case".

Councillors unanimously supported the paper which the SNP called a "victory over the depleted Labour administration".

Mr English said, "It is my view that consultation is the key to the whole process.

"If the process commands respect then, for the great majority of people so will the outcome.

"Regrettably the Labour administration did not involve parent councils, parents or residents in their deliberations regarding the school merger and this was reflected in the response from the community who raised a substantial petition against the proposals."

Parents of children at St John's had raised concerns over the size of the new school and the impact it would have on their children's education, while Claremont parents feared for the children's safety due to the busy A907 road and nearby rail-line.

SNP group leader, Mr Womersley added, "Pupils, parents and the community should be seen as a vital component of the whole process and not excluded as they have been to date. We have now given them the opportunity to engage with the council and I would encourage them to do so.

"We should be seeking to deliver what they want - not acting as if the community should be grateful for any scraps Labour may toss their way.

"The more open and transparent the process of debate and consultation, the better for all concerned. For it is the responsibility of a democratically elected council to listen to communities and to account for its decisions to the electorate."

Labour councillor George Matchett, Inclusion Portfolio Holder, said the council was committed to "listening and learning" from the community.

He said, "It was clear from the informal consultation held earlier this year that parents and the wider community held a range of views about the future of St John's and Claremont Primaries. The report to Thursday's special council meeting received unanimous support. We are happy to seek further clarification with these groups about their views and will launch a further consultation exercise in the near future.

"We are committed to listening and learning from local people to shape our policies while also being realistic about what is achievable within finite budgets."