Campaigners and opposition Councillors have expressed their frustration and disappointment following B&NES Cabinet’s decision yesterday evening to continue with the plan to close Culverhay school in Bath.

Several Liberal Democrat Councillors spoke at the Cabinet meeting to try and persuade the Cabinet to listen to the wishes of the local community and to rethink the proposals, which have already been subject to a call in.

Councillor Nathan Hartley (Liberal Democrat, Peasedown), commented:

“I’m very disappointed that the Cabinet has decided to continue with its plan to close a good community school. For decades, residents and councillors in Bath have called for Culverhay to become a co-educational establishment where boys and girls can go to receive a personalised and varied education.
 
“The role of the Council, any council, is to serve the people. It’s a shame that on this occasion the powers that be don't want to do this. I just hope now that the residents of Bath engage strongly with the forthcoming consultation, letting the Cabinet know how much Culverhay is valued by parents and pupils, and that closing it would rip the very heart out of that community in the south west of Bath.”

Councillor Paul Crossley (Liberal Democrat, Southdown), who lead the call in request, added:

“I do not believe that this decision is the end of the line. The formal process, starting in September, will be another chance for parents and campaigners to make the case for keeping Culverhay. The announcement that Culverhay will be pursuing Academy status is also a ray of hope.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors who spoke during the meeting included Ian Gilchrist (Widcombe), Paul Crossley (Southdown), Nathan Hartley (Peasedown), David Dixon (Walcot), Caroline Roberts (Newbridge) and Gerry Curran (Twerton).

Speaking during the Cabinet meeting, Councillor Gilchrist said:

“It seems to me to be daft to close one school entirely and dispose of the buildings and land as is being proposed for Culverhay. Much better would seem to be an approach of retaining all the sites but, where necessary slimming them down in a way that will reduce running costs in the short term but which will allow them to be brought back to full-strength when the rising population makes this necessary. […] deleting a school is one of the quickest ways I can imagine to rip the heart out of a community”

Speaking during the Cabinet meeting, Councillor Curran pointed out that it was unbelievable that, after five years of work by Councillors and Council Officers, their proposal could be thrown away and the future of school provision in Bath decided by the governors of two schools, one of which won’t even engage with the Council.