Majority of county councillors support stopping Lewes school closures

A motion calling on plans to close two Lewes primary schools to be dropped was approved by the majority of county councillors today (Tuesday May 10).
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2016, 12:05 BST
Updated 10th May 2016, 13:07 BST

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March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224302008March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224302008
March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224302008

East Sussex County Council is consulting on plans to close both Rodmell and Pells Church of England primary schools by August 2017 as according to the authority both have struggled to attract enough pupils.

A petition with more than 5,000 signatures calling on the county council to stop the closure of these two Lewes primary schools was presented at County Hall today (Tuesday May 10).

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Ruth O’Keeffe (Ind, Lewes), leader of the Independent group, put forward a motion recommending to cabinet that plans to close the schools are halted in view of the increasing demand in primary school places once the consultation closes.

March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224251008March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224251008
March to demonstrate against Pells and Rodmell schools closing SUS-161004-224251008

To raucous applause from the public gallery and shouts of ‘thank you so much’ the majority of county councillors voted in favour of the motion, which will now go to cabinet to consider.

The motion was seconded by Carla Butler (LDem, Newhaven and Ouse Valley West), who represents Rodmell.

More to follow.

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Related topics:East Sussex County CouncilCounty HallIndependent