Town Hall chiefs must look again at sixth form closure plan

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TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington will have to look again at the controversial proposals to close the sixth form at Culcheth High School.
The borough council’s scrutiny committee has decided, after hearing submissions from Culcheth and Glazebury councillor Chris Vobe and other concerned councillors
After the meeting, Cllr Vobe (pictured) said: “We are very grateful to the scrutiny committee for referring this matter back to the executive board.
“We thank members of all political colours for listening to our arguments and putting the best interests of our young people at the heart of tonight’s decision
The Culcheth community was stunned last year when the school governors first announced their plan to close the sixth form.
A subsequent public consultation exercise did not persuade the governors to change their proposals – and they were eventually backed by the borough council’s executive
But Cllr Vobe – a former sixth form student – won the support of 12 other councillors and “called in” the decision to be examined by the scrutiny committee.
He claimed the decision was made without giving due consideration to professional advice, that the decision lacked clarity of aims and desired outcomes and that alternative options and their likely effects on the social, economic and environmental well-being of the borough had not been considered.
After hearing his submission, the scrutiny committee – which was told 179 objections to the closure, made on behalf of 249 individuals had been received – decided to refer the matter back to the executive board.
The executive does not need to change its decision – but members must consider their decision again.
In the meantime, the planned closure of the sixth form on August 31 next year, has been postponed.
Cllr Sue Bland, who also attended the scrutiny committee meeting, said: “I am pleased the decision is going to be looked at again because what is important is what is best for the pupils of Culcheth High School..
The governing body’s original decision was based on dwindling numbers of students choosing to take up places in the sixth form, resulting in the cost of providing the sixth form being more than the school receives in funding for it.


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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