Parents fighting for the future of closure marked Tanshall Primary in Glenrothes, Dunino Primary near St Andrews and Wellwood Primary, Dunfermline, have expressed delight that the Fife Council closure decisions have been “called in” by the Scottish Government.
Following the decisions of Fife Council on February 25 to proceed with the closures of Dunino, New Gilston, Rathillet, Tanshall and Wellwood primary schools, the Scottish Government has indicated that it will grant consent to the closure of New Gilston and Rathillet, but will call in the other three closure proposals.
The call-ins will allow ministers further time to consider aspects of the proposals in more detail, and will seek further information from the council to help them to do this.
While there is no guarantee of decisions being overturned, the process will involve a forensic examination of the council’s decision-making process and gives hope to campaigners that their battles have not been in vain.
Glenrothes MSP Tricia Marwick told The Courier: “I’ve just had it confirmed that the Scottish Government will call in Tanshall. I had a meeting with the minister and cabinet secretary last week.
“I pressed upon them the importance of Tanshall Primary. The Scottish Government will give a much deeper examination of the decision.”
She added: ”There is no guarantee that ministers will set it aside but the whole basis of the Fife Council decision will be questioned.”
Euan Howells, of campaign group Community Help at Tanshall, said: “I feel that the call-in is now a step in the right direction.
“I’ve always felt and had the confidence that if it goes to the MSPs, the decision will be overturned. Although as stated this is not 100 per cent.
“Morale has taken a massive boost now and from a series of knocks and letdowns. we are moving on a positive note on keeping the school open.
“Now almost a year since Fife Council decided Tanshall was in the firing line, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
“I think there has been a complete lack proof that there are any ‘educational benefits’ from closing Tanshall by Fife Council.
“Taking Fife Council’s decision to a higher level should also show the lack of scrutiny from most of Fife’s councillors.”
Glenrothes councillor Peter Grant said the Scottish Government’s action vindicated claims that the council had failed to take proper account of arguments against the closure of Tanshall.
He said: “Fife Council’s process has been flawed from the beginning. At every step along the way parents, carers and pupils have told the council they had got it wrong. At every step along the way the council has ignored them.”
Mr Grant, who had written to Education Secretary Mike Russell asking for the decision to be called in, commended the tireless work done by local campaigners trying to save the school.
He added: “These people have had so many knock-downs from Fife Council but they’ve refused to give up .
“Tthe fact that he has called in the decision at least gives us hope that the school can still be saved.”
Shelagh McLean, Fife Council directorate resources manager, said: “Fife Council fully appreciates the importance of these decisions and looks forward to working with the Scottish Government to provide any information required to enable them to reach a final decision.”