Plaid AM tells Carmarthenshire Council to think again (Plaid Cymru Press Release)

Over 200 people have demonstrated on the steps of County Hall in Carmarthen over a £110m education modernisation plan that could see up to 32 schools close. At the meeting Helen Mary Jones AM pledged Plaid Cymru's support to those communities calling for proper consultation before decisions are taken.

Mid and West Wales AM Helen Mary Jones speaking after her speech at
the rally said:

"That Carmarthenshire County Council has refused to allow proper debate on these proposals is outrageous. It is inaccurate to say that the plans have been discussed properly."

"An outline policy was agreed three years ago, but key elements of the current plan were not in the draft that was agreed. It is unacceptable for the County Council to propose that all schools with under 50 pupils should be closed as invalid."

"Nor is it acceptable to set a specific target for the number of schools in the County. This makes a nonsense of the consultations they intend to undertake with regard to individual schools and groups of schools."

"The Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales group on Carmarthenshire County Councilhas never agreed to these elements of the plan and it downright dishonest for the Council to suggest that they have done so."

"The council should now take time to consult with the community on the modernisation plan as whole before moving on to detailed consultation on individual proposals. To fail to do so would make a mockery of democracy in the county."