Ponthir Village School "would probably survive in Monmouthshire"

3.58.00pm GMT Wed 26th Jan 2005

A leading Welsh Assembly Member has today further contributed to the debate over the future of a village school in Torfaen. Michael German AM, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Welsh Assembly, recently visited parents and teachers at Ponthir VC Primary School near Caerleon.

Commenting after his visit, Michael German said, "If this school were a short distance away, in Monmouthshire for example, it would probably survive."

Monmouthshire County Council has just finished a review of primary education in the north of the county and looking at their findings it would appear that a school like Ponthir would survive in the neighboring county.

Michael German, AM for South Wales East, has written directly to Torfaen's Director of Education, Mike De Val, regarding the future the school. "Several of my constituents have recently contacted me regarding the proposed closure of Ponthir VC Primary School," said Mr. German. "After visiting the school and speaking with parents and teachers it is clear that in order to get some questions answered, the only course of action is to ask Torfaen's Director of Education directly."

Mr. German asks a series of questions relating to the school site in particular. He asks Torfaen's Director of Education when the last valuation of land at the school site was completed as well as asking if Torfaen Council has entered into any consultation, correspondence or received any speculative expressions of interests from property developers.

"I'm asking Torfaen directly if it has commissioned any feasibility studies with regard to the future use of the proposed school closure sites and what proposals have the Council considered for future use. Furthermore the council should now release any information of all meetings held which considered whether in part or other wise the development or alternative use of those school sites", he said.

Mr. German added, "When reviewing primary education provision in Monmouthshire, the council there examined alternative future use of school sites and the likely amount of money raised from the sale of sites to fund the refurbishment or the building of new replacement schools. Torfaen should have done the same. Parents at Ponthir School want to know the details.

"On some occasions there are restrictive covenants on land. I want Torfaen council to confirm that they have investigated this matter and what their intentions are regarding these covenants."

Michael German added that, only by getting full answers to these questions could the debate over the future of threatened primary schools in Torfaen be "open and transparent".