A CONTROVERSIAL schools proposal was given a mixed reception at Kirklees Council last night.

Councillors backed a Lib Dem motion describing the proposed academy schools as damaging and potentially divisive.

Last month Tory council leader Robert Light announced a £200m bid to the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme.

It would see academy schools created in Huddersfield and Batley.

In return for £2m, businesses, religious or voluntary groups would be given a large say in the curriculum and admissions of these new schools.

But the Lib Dems and Labour joined forces to support a motion urging the council's Cabinet to consult widely before going ahead.

The motion, which the Conservatives voted against, described academies as damaging "local democratic accountability" and having "the potential to divide communities".

But a later Conservative motion welcoming the proposed academies as part of a big education package was passed - with Labour support.

The Lib Dems voted against.

Earlier, a union official won applause from Labour and Lib Dem councillors.

The NUT's Hazel Danson said academies could select 10% of their pupils, which would hit other schools.

"Evidence shows they have a disproportionately high number of children being excluded," she added.

"I am also worried about pay and conditions for staff at these schools."

Ms Danson said the Government was pressuring councils to accept academies. She said: "They are being told they must have academies if they are to get cash from the Building Schools for the Future programme.

"Councils are being blackmailed because the Government has not attracted enough interest in academies from sponsors."

But Clr Light said: "We're not being railroaded. This is a mammoth opportunity to get £200m into our schools."

Earlier, Clr Light was asked about plans to close Rawthorpe and Fartown high schools if a Huddersfield academy went ahead.

Unison spokesman Mike Foster asked how they could be extracted from Private Finance Initiative deals.

Clr Light said: "This is something we're examining."