CONSERVATIVES PUT PRIMARY CLOSURES ON-HOLD!
Conservative Councillors last night put controversial plans to close three Bristol primaries on-hold within seconds of the city's Labour Administration agreeing to shut the schools.
At the close of a stormy meeting, with teachers, governors and campaigners pleading for a reprieve for the threatened schools, the ruling Labour Cabinet voted to close St George CoE, St Pius X Catholic School and Stockwood Green School.
But literally within seconds of the move, Tory leader Councillor Richard Eddy effectively put the decision on-ice by formally "calling-in" the
decision for more scrutiny.
The three proposed closures will now be suspended and re-examined by a cross-party Scrutiny 'Call-in' sub-committee.
Cllr Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: "This Labour Cabinet is repeating the mistakes of the past, arbitrarily sacrificing three good and improving schools while leaving weak and ineffectual schools untouched.
"From the start, the Primary Review has been dogged by controversy and poor judgment. Since the Labour Administration has ignored the views of Council and the public, we have called-in this decision for proper examination."
Fellow Tory Councillor Jay Jethwa (Con, Stockwood), who had earlier presented a petition demanding the reprieve of Stockwood Green School, also backed the "call-in".
Cllr Jethwa said: "In Stockwood Green, we have a local community school which meets the criteria supposedly driving this reorganisation.
"It is already 'fit for purpose' and provides a full range of children's services.
"To close this school and deprive local families of its benefits would be a disgrace and we will fight it every step of the way."
The decision to close St George Primary, St Pius X Primary and Stockwood Green School will now be considered at a meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny "Call-in" Sub-Committee, at a time yet to be arranged.
