School Closure Review Panels refuses consent for closure of four Highland primary schools

The School Closure Review Panels (SCRP) has refused consent to Highland Council’s plans to close four North Skye primary schools.

The council had proposed to close the following primary schools and nursery classes: Dunvegan; Edinbane; Knockbreck and Struan and took the decision to proceed with these closures on 12 March 2015.

The SCRP considered whether, in taking the decision to close a school, the local authority had done so in compliance with the duties imposed on it by the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

In the decision, intimated to Highland Council on Monday, Patricia Quigley, the Review Panel Chair, stated: “Following a thorough review of the information contained in all of the documents received from the Scottish Ministers, together with additional information provided by stakeholders and additional submissions in the form of a letter from Highland Council to the Panel Convener, dated 12 June 2015, and having looked at the totality of what has been considered by Highland Council, the Panel has concluded that Highland Council has not fulfilled its obligations under the 2010 Act… Accordingly, the School Closure Review Panel refuses to consent to Highland Council’s proposal, in accordance with section 17C(1)(a) of the 2010 Act.”

An appeal on a point of law may be made to the sheriff against the decision within 14 days.

This is the first case that has been handled by the panels.