COUNCIL officers faced the brunt of parish councillors’ anger over ‘flawed’ plans to close Longbarn Primary School at a meeting on Monday.

Three representatives of the children’s services department: David Leadbetter; Ann McCormack and Hilary Smith; attended Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council to discuss the closure plans with councillors.

But their arguments were shouted down by angry parish councillors who said the school hadn’t been given a fair chance.

“For me this consultation is a waste of time and I’ve said that from when I first clapped eyes on it,” said Clr Scott Wilson (LD – Poulton North).

“It’s a done deal,” he added as he walked out the meeting, before Chairman Colin Oliver (LD – Poulton North) told him to stay.

But Hilary Smith told the meeting that no decisions had been made yet and the closure was only a proposal.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) would consider if the strategy was acceptable, and if it is the council will get £44m over the next 14 years.

She was asked by parish councilor Dougie Ashbrook whether the DCSF had said they wanted the school closed, and replied: “No.”

The latest figures, taken in January, showed that 41 per cent of the 157 places at the school were vacant, and parental preference for the school was low, said David Leadbetter.

“At some point capital investment is needed in all schools,” he said.

Councillor Colin Froggatt (LD – Poulton South) asked why good results were not being considered as a reason to keep Longbarn School open, when attainment was one of the main reasons for closing Woolston High School in September 2007.

“If you look at Warrington north there is only one school that has better attainment and SATs results than Longbarn and that is St Elphin’s,” he said.

“It appears to me that the principles you are using to close Longbarn have been sullied, and it appears that you’re closing Longbarn because it is convenient and not because it is right.”

He also queried why St Monica’s Catholic Primary School, in Appleton, was not being considered for closure as it had similar occupation levels to Longbarn School, and was told the council is working with the Diocese of Shrewsbury to combat it.

Councillor Sheila Woodyatt, executive member for children’s services, said after the meeting: “No one welcomes the proposal to close a school. However, parents are not choosing to send their children to Longbarn; it is not their first choice school.

“We have accurate data which tells us that the school is nearly half empty and we have to give it additional money so that the children receive a full and balanced education.

“The executive board does need to consider whether this school should close,” she said.

“This is democracy in action; the executive board will listen to everyone’s views before it makes any decision.”

The consultation closes on May 22.