(Councillor Foulkes having declared a prejudicial interest in this item (see minute 249) left the room during its consideration)

The Director of Children’s Services reported further to minute 141 (1/10/09), that statutory notices had been published on 14 October 2009, regarding the closure of St Laurence’s Catholic Aided Primary School. He gave details of the outcome of the subsequent representation period and recommended that the proposal be approved and authorisation given for the proposal to close the school.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning paid tribute to the staff and governors at St Laurence’s for their excellent work at the school, the closure of which was simply a reflection of falling school rolls.

Resolved - That the proposal for the closure of St Laurence’s Catholic Aided Primary School be approved, and that the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to ensure the prescribed procedures are followed, including proposals for the re-zoning of schools, in furtherance of the proposal, with closure of the school on 31 August 2010.

COUNCILLOR FOULKES RESUMED THE CHAIR