Conservative calls for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to reverse plans to close Llancarfan Primary School have been rejected by the new Labour administration running the authority.
At last Monday’s full council meeting, the Conservative Group tabled a motion that the Vale of Glamorgan Council “regrets the decision to move [the school] from its current site” and “notes both the Labour Party and Conservative Party’s election pledges to support the village in its fight to keep Llancarfan School in Llancarfan”.
In the Rhoose by-election in February, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Lis Burnett said the closure “wouldn’t be happening” if Labour were running the Council and boasted they had “repeatedly refused the proposals”.
The motion also called on the new Labour administration to reverse the decision, in line with their election pledges, and instead apply to the Welsh Government for 21stCentury Schools funding to upgrade both schools in Rhoose and Llancarfan.
However, it was defeated by 29 votes to 14, after Labour, Vale Independent and Plaid Cymru councillors voted against.
The Vale Independents comprise 8 former Conservative councillors, who now prop up the Labour administration.
Rhoose councillor and South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies criticised those councillors who voted against, and called it “a betrayal” of rural communities.
Mr Davies said, “In the recent Rhoose by-election, all candidates and parties standing were unambiguous in their support for Llancarfan School, and the campaign to save it.
“Indeed, the new Cabinet Member for Education said the closure would not be happening if her party were running the council.
“So I had hoped she and her Labour colleagues would support the motion, and keep their promises to the people of Llancarfan.
“It was also disappointing to see many Vale Independent members, most of whom represent rural wards, also vote against.
“Their communities include schools similar to Llancarfan and their constituents will rightly ask if they would be prepared to fight for them when they have allowed these destructive plans to move forward.”
NOTE: Please find attached a social media comment from Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Lis Burnett, and an interview with Labour Party candidate John Hartland during the Rhoose by-election campaign