Herefordshire Council issued the following statement at 3pm today (Monday).

THE leader of Herefordshire Council has announced today the immediate recall of draft proposals for a review of schools in response to government requirements to reduce surplus school places.

The move, which is as a result of discussions between councillors and senior officers before the weekend, is designed to allow more consultation with communities, more detailed research and independent and external verification before proposals are re-drafted for final consideration in September.

"The Conservative group made it clear that it could not support draft proposals that could see 37 of the county's schools merged or closed," said Councillor Roger Phillips. "Instead elected members want more time to involve all schools and their communities in detailed discussions. We also need external, independent and objective advice and verified evidence of the finances and the population projections, as well as a greater understanding of the effect of any mergers on rural communities and school journey times".

"The council's cabinet recognises that education officers face a tough challenge in addressing the problem of falling numbers of pupils in Herefordshire's schools. If we do not satisfy government that we are taking action it has the power to cut our funding in education. But we also recognise the strong feelings in our community, and time has to be given to enable those views to be taken fully account when we set policy for education".

Chief executive of the council Chris Bull added: "It is important that we respond clearly to concerns raised by a number of schools and their communities during this initial part of the consultation. Local communities and elected members have said they want more time and we want to ensure that everyone has the greatest opportunity to put their views forward.

"We have listened and we have taken action. We have suspended the consultation process now. In the meantime we will proceed with previously agreed plans to bring in external verification of statistics, figures and finances, share those findings with everyone, and listen further to school communities before we re-draft proposals for further consideration".

Herefordshire, like most authorities nationwide, is required by government to set out strategic plans for the future - taking into account capacity, future pupil numbers, value for money, quality of education and building programmes.

The way government funding is calculated means that Herefordshire remains the third worst funded county in England and the council has pledged to continue lobbying central government for fairer funding. A significant proportion of costs involved in educating children are fixed, including a high proportion of staffing costs, yet the funding provided by the government is calculated by the number of pupils on roll. Even that funding is under threat if the county does not take action on falling rolls. If the council can ensure spare school capacity doesn't exceed 10 per cent, there is the potential for significant capital investment from the government. Half of Herefordshire's schools could be refurbished and five new schools could be built in addition to the proposed Wyebridge Academy and the Minster College.

Neighbouring authorities Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Powys are already going through the same process. Many schools in Herefordshire have supported the schools review and several head teachers have stated that firm action needs to be taken to safeguard standards of education.

"We have already said that the review is necessary and it presents to Herefordshire the biggest challenge to education standards for decades", added Councillor Phillips. "It is therefore essential that we give a clear message to children, parents and schools that we want to listen fully to what they have to say and we want to take a measured, open and considered approach in order to secure the best education provision for the county for the future."