 SNP MSP Bob Doris attended the school closure protest on Friday |
A protest has been staged in Glasgow over council proposals which could see the closure and merger of 13 primary schools and 12 nurseries. The demonstration, outside the City Chambers on Friday, came as councillors backed a consultation plan, subject to full council approval next week. If the scheme is given the go-ahead, children could be merged into new schools and nurseries from August. Protesters want the plan scrapped and talks to be held with parents. A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said up to 40 people had taken part in the protest.
About 20 of those who attended were allowed into the council's executive committee, which gave initial approval for a public consultation. Council leader, Steven Purcell, told the committee that the council was prepared to listen to alternative proposals put forward during the consultation. Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, attended the protest on Friday and described the closure proposals as "savage". He said: "I have met with parents from two affected areas in Wyndford and Ruchill. There is a huge amount of anger. 'Demolition job' "Wyndford is losing two schools and closure will leave this hard-pressed area devastated at a time when it is desperately trying to attract families into the community. "The Wyndford has experienced several tragic events in recent months and is trying to rebuild. "The relatively new but successful head teachers in both St Gregory's and Wyndford primaries are part of that rebuilding exercise. "What Labour councillors are proposing is a demolition job on the community." Glasgow City Council said many of the schools and nurseries identified for possible closure were "crumbling and half empty". The authority said it could not afford to build new schools in the current financial climate and could not use public private partnership methods of funding.
| CLOSURE AND MERGER PLANS | | | Establishment | Receiving establishment | Merged establishment | Saving (full year) | | Sighthill Primary | Royston Primary | Royston Primary | �186,372 | | St Gilbert's Primary | St Philomena's Primary | St Philomena's Primary | �238,287 | | Barmulloch Primary | St Gilbert's Primary | Barmulloch Primary | As above | | Victoria Primary | Annette St. Primary/ Cuthbertson Primary | Annette St. Primary/ Cuthbertson Primary | �207,721 | | Bellahouston Primary | Ibrox Primary | Ibrox Primary | �194,999 | | Albert Primary | Elmvale Primary | Elmvale Primary | �241,380 | | St Agnes' Primary | St Blane's Primary | St Blane's Primary | �186,140 | | St Aloysius' Primary | St Stephen's Primary | St Stephen's Primary | �198,845 | | St Gregory's Primary | St Mary's Primary | St Mary's Primary | �234,498 | | Wyndford Primary | Parkview Primary | Parkview Primary | �219,082 | | St James' Primary | Alexandra Parade Primary | Alexandra Parade Primary | �208,698 | | Ruchill Primary | Westercommon Primary | Westercommon Primary | �226,601 | | Our Lady of the Assumption Primary | St Cuthbert's Primary | St Cuthbert's Primary | �165,281 | | Shawbridge Nursery | Pollokshaws Day Nursery | Pollokshaws Day Nursery | �180,652 | | Kinning Park Nursery | Festival Park Nursery | Festival Park Nursery | �70,860 | | Merrylee Nursery Class | Holmlea Day Nursery | Holmlea Day Nursery | �32,445 | | Mile End Nursery | Bridgeton FLC | Bridgeton FLC | �111,161 | | Garscube Nursery | Cowcaddens Day Nursery | Cowcaddens Day Nursery | �72,535 | | Craigielea Nursery/Broompark Day Nursery | St Denis' Primary | New Early Years' Centre | �255,230 | | Anderston Nursery Class | Anderson St. Nursery | Anderson St. Nursery | �77,184 | | Queen Mary St. Nursery | London Road Nursery | London Road Nursery | �244,067 | | Newark Dr. Nursery/Nithsdale Rd. Nursery/ Pollokshields Nursery Class | New Early Years' Centre in Pollokshields Primary Anxe | New Early Years' Centre in Pollokshields Primary Anxe | �169,721 | | Source: Glasgow City Council |
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