Councillors reject moves to put off Wakeman School decision

Shropshire councillors today rejected moves to defer a decision to close The Wakeman secondary school in Shrewsbury when they met at Shirehall.

Shropshire Council also voted not to allow two primary schools facing closure - Maesbury, near Oswestry, and Stiperstones, near Shrewsbury - extra time to formulate plans to federate with other primaries.

A fresh debate on the future of the three schools was opened up today.

Under council rules, petitions collected by the schools enabled each one up to five minutes to outline their case after which there was a debate on each proposal.

Last week the council cabinet agreed to close the three schools along with the primaries at Hopton Wafers, near Cleobury Mortimer, and Barrow, near Broseley.

The plans have gone forward to a final six-week phase of consultation with the council due to take a final decision on July 20.

Wakeman parent governor Ruth Exelby called for a rethink. She claimed that information presented to cabinet had been "economical with the truth".

Mrs Exelby said that in six years time a new school, costing more than £30 million, would be needed.

Labour and Lib Dem opposition councillors supported the idea of deferring the closure plan so more research could be carried out relating to the school.

But Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden moved, and it was agreed, that no action be taken.

Mrs Exelby said she was "absolutely appalled" that the council would not agree to a deferment.

Tony Milner, for Maesbury School, and David Jackson, for Stiperstones, both made strong pleas for extra time to formulate federation plans.