PARENTS have been urged to tell councillors why their children’s school should stay open.

Kirklees Council’s Conservatives have forced a special scrutiny meeting about the plan to close Castle Hall School in Mirfield.

The Labour / Lib Dem coalition Cabinet decided earlier this month to close the school as part of a £200m education plan for north Kirklees.

But Tory councillors have called a special scrutiny meeting about the decision on Tuesday. A cross-party panel of councillors will ask Cabinet members why they decided to close the school.

The Scrutiny Panel can’t overturn the closure – but it can recommend that the Cabinet reverses its decision.

Conservative leader Clr Jim Dodds encouraged people to come and speak at the meeting at Dewsbury Town Hall.

He said: “If Castle Hall is to be saved it is vital people work together to put forward the best possible case to give the school, and the parents, governors, teachers and pupils, a fighting chance to keep the school open.

“It is important that those who wish themselves to be heard either attend or submit written evidence.

“It is also important to remove the politics from this process and to make clear, reasoned cases.

“I hope the Labour MP for Dewsbury Shahid Malik, who has been against this closure, will also attend in person to do so, or at least submit written evidence.”

The Cabinet agreed to begin legal moves to close Castle Hall on March 12. Concerned parents and Conservative councillors were involved in sharp exchanges with Cabinet members during the marathon meeting at Dewsbury Town Hall.

Clr Dodds hopes next week’s scrutiny meeting is conducted in a better atmosphere.

He said: “A number of Conservative councillors will be speaking at the hearing and they will be encouraged to do so responsibly. Whilst I know this is an emotive issue I would urge people intending to speak to do so sensibly as this is the best way to get over their points to the panel.”

The Scrutiny Panel includes two councillors each from Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives and will be chaired by Holme Valley North Tory Clr Beryl Smith.

She said: “The Scrutiny Panel does not have the power to overturn the decision. However, having considered the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel can recommend the Cabinet consider amending the decision.”

The meeting begins at 10.30am, with councillors giving evidence for and against the closure. Members of the public can have their say between 1.45pm and 3.15pm. The panel will announce its recommendation at 6pm.