DYLAN CLOSURE BATTLE ON WAY TO ASSEMBLY

5 August 2005

Swansea Council's plans to axe Dylan Thomas School and revamp schooling in the city were first announced in the Post on May 19. Almost immediately parents, governors, teachers and even children launched a campaign to fight the closures.

On June 9 the proposals put forward by the city's education department were rubber-stamped by cabinet.A statutory consultation period was launched by council officials to canvas opinion on the proposed closures.

It ended on July 13 and the findings and council response will be presented to cabinet on August 25, two weeks after the original date.

If the plans are rubber-stamped by cabinet again this month council bosses will issue a statutory notice in September to announce the changes.

A two month consultation period will follow and if, as seems likely, an objection is made before the November 5 deadline, the decision will go the Assembly.

If that happens the final word on the closure of Dylan Thomas and rehoming of YGG Llwynderw is unlikely to be made until March 2006 at the earliest.