Meetings to discuss fears over schools closure plan

Parents' fears over controversial proposals which could see up to five Powys secondary schools closed will be aired at a series of public meetings.

The talks have been organised by Glyn Davies, Conservative spokesman for Montgomeryshire, who last week released a leaked report to the media about the Powys County Council proposals.

The first meeting will be at 7pm tonight at the Institute in Llanfyllin.

Further meetings will be held in Llanfair Caereinion on Wednesday and at Llanidloes on February 3.

Mr Davies said releasing the report on the closure plan would allow a full debate on the controversy.

He said: "We will now have a proper public debate about this mighty issue before the whole thing has been stitched up behind closed doors. The councillors might even be given a say."

Mr Davies's meetings follow a public meeting in Newtown organised by Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik on Friday.

More than 200 people attended that meeting, which was held in response to plans to close schools at Llanidloes, Crickhowell, Gwernyfed, Llanfyllin or Llanfair Caereinion and Llandrindod Wells or Builth Wells.

They could be replaced with "learning centres" and "centres of excellence" although council chiefs have stressed no decision will be taken until public consultation is held.

Friday's meeting heard councillors in Powys had no idea the proposals were being put in place.

Councillor Gareth Morgan of Llanidloes said: "I don't see how anyone in their right mind can produce a document like this. It beggars belief. I had no idea it was being prepared. And I will be fighting the proposals all the way."