Call for Dumfries and Galloway Council to delay decision to mothball Dalry Secondary School
The accelerated process being followed by Dumfries and Galloway Council Education Department to mothball Dalry Secondary School without any considerations of the short, medium and longer term impacts on the wider Glenkens community has been highlighted by the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group.
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They have contacted Dumfries and Galloway Council requesting that the decision on mothballing is delayed until further discussion between the wider community, the Education Department, the Communities Department the Community Partnership Planning Board and Elected Members takes place. Their paper setting out the rationale for this request is here.
The provision of educational facilities is a key underpin to the long-term sustainability of the Glenkens community. Good education provision is important not only for the people currently living the Glenkens but also to retain existing families and attract families to move to the area. More homes, jobs and businesses are critical to our area and a key factor in people deciding to live here and businesses locating here will be access to a good education.
This accelerated mothballing process appears to be being deliberately used by the Education Department to sidestep the need to formally consult on closure and/or to create mitigation plans that will minimise the impact on the Glenkens young people and the wider community.
The Community Action Plan Steering Group believes that this is a misuse of process that the wider Dumfries and Galloway Council and Community Partnership Planning Board should be aware of.
Allowing this accelerated mothballing process to continue will not just disadvantage the young people and communities of the Glenkens, but potentially all of our small rural schools, accelerating rural depopulation and working in direct opposition to the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan.
John Paterson, Chair, Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group.