Schools shake-up rejected

Oct 16 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Schools shake-up rejected

THE education of thousands of children has been thrown into doubt after councillors rejected a £200m school-building plan last night.

Kirklees Council’s ruling Conservatives were told to ditch their proposals or be thrown out of office by Christmas.

In September the Tories announced plans for a radical shake-up of schools in north Kirklees, including closing Castle Hall in Mirfield.

Parents, teachers and governors are being consulted on the plan, which would see 11 schools shut.

The proposal was rejected by 35 votes to 10 at last night’s monthly council meeting.

However, the nine-strong Conservative Cabinet is not bound by the vote and will make the final decision on the matter in January.

Kirklees Cabinet member for schools Clr Jim Dodds Clr Jim Dodds said on Monday that the plan would be looked at “line-by-line”. It had earlier been announced that a decision would be made before Christmas.