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Press release by Llais Gwynedd - SCHOOLS' U-TURN
Campaigners against the closure of rural schools in
Gwynedd are claiming victory this week following a dramatic U-turn by Council
bosses.
Earlier a full Council meeting decided to drop a
controversial proposal that a newly appointed schools' Working Party should
prepare a list of schools for closure.
"This is a historic decision
and means that the all-party Working Group can go ahead with its work free of
any pressure to close schools for the sake of it," said Llais Gwynedd's
Leader on the Council, Councillor Owain Williams.
"Plaid Cymru, who are the
largest party on the council, have at last capitulated to public opinion on
this issue," he added.
Llais Gwynedd gained 13 seats on Gwynedd Council
in last month's Local Government Election with a promise to oppose Plaid
Cymru's policy to close 29 rural schools and federalise another 50. In the
election Plaid Cymru lost its overall majority on Gwynedd Council with the
party's National President, Dafydd Iwan, failing to regain his Bontnewydd
Ward.
"Plaid Cymru was hell-bent on school closures but now have to bow
to pressure from the electorate," added Councillor Owain Williams.
"Out
job now is to ensure they keep to the proposals passed today in order to lift
those threatening clouds that have been above Gwynedd's rural schools for the
last three years," he said.
The six member working group will report on
its progress in November.
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