Powys review of Welshpool primary schools on hold

A planned review of 13 primary schools in the Welshpool catchment area of Powys will not take place this year.

The county council has been looking at the future of all its schools under a rolling programme.

It was due to review the Welshpool schools but said until it was clear what funding the Welsh Government could provide it would defer the move.

Plans to shut Trefnanney near Welshpool after a separate review of schools with less than 30 pupils will continue.

A review of secondary and sixth form education in Powys under the county's modernisation programme is also unaffected.

Cabinet member for learning and leisure Stephen Hayes said: "It is important that where we carry out a review we should be able to implement its findings promptly.

"We have completed a review in the Maesydderwen catchment area where construction of four new schools has now gained the minister's approval.

"The Gwernyfed catchment area review has made its initial recommendations and I hope to be in a position to announce how those will be implemented later this year."

He said reviews were also ongoing in the John Beddoes and Llanidloes and Machynlleth catchment areas and the council was also examining Welsh language provision in the Severn Valley.

"Until it becomes clearer what capital funding will be forthcoming from the Welsh Government it would be premature to embark on further reviews," he added.

"I want to emphasise that this does not signal the end of the catchment area review process, to which I am firmly committed, but it does reflect the requirement for achievable timescales."