Lib Dem proposal saves local schools from Labour axe

5.55.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Jun 2007

Cllr Steve Ayris, Liberal Democrat member for Hillsborough.

The Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council have successfully pushed through a proposal at today's council meeting which has saved two local secondary schools, which where due to close under the controlling Labour Group's controversial plan. Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools were set to close and a new school open on the Myers Grove site against the wishes of local people. However, the Lib Dems were successful with their proposal for both schools to remain open as community schools, as opposed to trust or academy schools.

In light of their defeat in the local election which saw them lose control of the council, the Labour group had wanted to review their original decision. This was turned down by council members in favour of saving the schools and instructing council officers to work on a plan to ensure the long-term future of both schools.

The makeup of Sheffield City Council is 41 Labour, 39 Lib Dem, 2 Green, 1 Tory and 1 Independent. The 2 Greens and 1 Independent supported the 39 Lib Dems whilst the single Tory supported the 41 Labour members. The vote was tied on 42 each but Lord Mayor, Cllr Arthur Dunworth, used his casting vote to keep both community schools open.

Cllr Sylvia Anginotti, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Education, said: -

"Today's vote is a victory for local communities in the North West and for education across Sheffield. Both schools will remain open and the uncertainty over the future of both Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools for parents, teachers and the wider local community has now ended."

"Council officers have been instructed to outline options for securing a long-term future for both schools. Liberal Democrats believe this is viable and good local community schools should be supported, and this is what today's vote has achieved."

Cllr Steve Ayris, Liberal Democrat member for Hillsborough (which is served by Wisewood School), said

"In May I was elected on a mandate to stop the closure of Wisewood, and I'm pleased that the Liberal Democrats have been able to deliver on this for the people of Hillsborough and wider North West area."

"Labour should have listened to the local community who where adamantly against the Labour plan to close their local schools. But the council has now given its final decision to keep the schools open and now we should all work together with the schools to secure the best possible future for both community schools."

See successful resolution moved at the June 6th 2pm Council Meeting in the Town Hall

That this Council:

(a) welcomes and approves recommendation (ii) in the report, which recommends that there will be no change to catchment areas in the North West of the city;

(b) notes that local people in the North West have made it abundantly clear that they want their valued local community schools to remain open;

(c) therefore directs that the process to close both Wisewood and Myers Grove Secondary Schools stops immediately;

(d) furthermore, directs that both existing community schools on the Wisewood and Myers Grove sites remain open and that the new 14-19 Centre is located on the Myers Grove site;

(e) instructs that a full report is brought back to a meeting of full council within the next two months which outlines a strategy to secure the long-term future of both schools.