Fury as council agrees to merge schools
LDRSMembers of the public walked out in fury from a council meeting which decided the merger of a number of schools.
Labour-led North Tyneside Council's cabinet agreed to merge Greenfields and Hazelwood primary schools, with children due to move to Greenfields by 2028.
After the vote, one woman could be heard shouting at councillors: "How can you sleep at night knowing that our children are going into a school filled with asbestos? You're disgusting."
Councillor Steven Phillips, who is responsible for education, told members that issues with asbestos were being managed according to legislation. The cabinet also voted to merge Forest Hall with Ivy Road primary school.
Those at the meeting were warned by North Tyneside's elected mayor Karen Clark to abide by council rules and remain quiet as councillors discussed the proposal, with comments and unrest coming from the public gallery.
The council previously said the decision to merge Greenfields and Hazelwood, both in Wideopen, was due to issues including building problems caused by "weak and brittle" concrete in Hazlewood, as well as a projected deficit at the school.
Asked about concerns over the presence of asbestos, Phillips said the dangerous material was commonly used in the construction industry until its ban in 1999 and was present in many schools.
He said an asbestos management plan to check the condition of the building and remediate any areas in need was in place and all required action had been taken.
'Difficult but necessary'
Clark told the meeting the proposals to merge the schools were due to "very difficult and challenging circumstances".
"No-one on this cabinet comes into public office to close schools - it's the last thing we want to do," she said.
Phillips thanked parents who took part in a consultation over the proposals and pledged to support children during the transition.
He said it had been an "extremely difficult decision" but it was considered "necessary".
He told councillors the date for the merger had been pushed back to 2028 to allow for conversations with a multi-academy trust interested in sponsoring Hazelwood.
"At this point, it's too early to conclude if it's a viable option," he added.
The merger of Forest Hill and Ivy Road primary schools has been blamed on falling pupil numbers and financial difficulties.
Members asked why that merger was due to take place from September instead of 2028, as the other schools.
Phillips explained no other option had been identified, adding: "[We considered] it would be better to have it done quickly, to provide greater stability for all local pupils."
Proposals to close Monkseaton Middle School and merge Langley First School with Appletree Gardens First School have been paused to consider alternative options.
After the meeting, Jon Ritchie, the council's director of resources, said the authority did not underestimate the impact of its decisions on school communities.
"We fully recognise that changes of this scale can feel unsettling for children, families, and staff," he said.
"These decisions have not been taken lightly, however, they are essential to securing a stable, high quality education system for the area."
