Debate date for schools proposal

An emergency debate on secondary school education in Powys will take place on Thursday.

It is being held in response to a controversial review into secondary education which could result in up to five schools being closed in the county.

Members of Powys County Council will be holding Thursday's "extraordinary" meeting to help allay the fears of hundreds of families.

Proposals could see schools at Llanidloes, Crickhowell, Gwernyfed, Llanfyllin or Llanfair Caereinion and Llandrindod Wells or Builth Wells closed.

Sixth forms at every school across the county could also be closed with pupils being sent to the three Coleg Powys sites.

The meeting will take place at the county hall in Llandrindod Wells at 2pm.

It comes after Councillor Aled Davies from Llansilin called for an emergency debate at the council's full meeting last month.

Glyn Davies, Tory parliamentary candidate for Montgomeryshire, who has vowed to oppose the proposals, said he would be attending the meeting.

He said: "I will do all I can to prevent the proposed wilful destruction of our outstanding secondary education."

Last night a meeting called by the Friends of Llanfyllin High School was attended by 200 people. It was the latest in a series of meetings held in the various towns named in the review.