Western Isles MSP comments on schools vote

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed the Comhairle’s decision last night to abandon plans to close Lionel secondary unit.

He regretted the council’s decision to vote narrowly in favour of proceeding to close Shawbost secondary, and the primaries at Carloway and Shelibost in the summer of 2013.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“The parents and community at Lionel school have campaigned tirelessly for several years to stave off the threat of their secondary unit being closed. I hope that last night’s vote now means the Comhairle will abandon their plan to close the unit.

“The SNP’s councillors and others voted last night in favour of keeping all four schools open, but were unfortunately outvoted on three.

“The council realises that their plans for Carloway and Shelibost primaries and Shawbost secondary to close in 2013 remain the subject of legal proceedings. This follows the Education Secretary’s decision to appeal against the Court of Session’s recent judgement on the Comhairle’s school closure plans.

“There is no doubt that the communities in Shawbost, Shelibost and Carloway will continue the campaign for a future for their schools, and that is something I will now be in touch with the parent councils about.”

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