LOCAL people are to be consulted before major changes are made to schools in the Aeron Valley after concerns were raised by council cabinet members about plans for a new area school in Felinfach.

A proposal that would see a new area school created at Felinfach’s professional education centre campus has won the backing of Ceredigion Cabinet members ahead of suggestions of building a brand new area school, closing Cilcennin School or retaining present schools at Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Dihewyd.

But Cabinet members have said there needs to be “engagement” with the local community over the proposal after scrutiny committee members hit out at the lack of discussions with the local communities and representatives of the four schools that would be affected.

Following engagement with the community, a more detailed report into the proposal will be drawn up to go before the council’s learning communities scrutiny committee and the Cabinet.

While that has been welcomed by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Bethan Williams, the society’s Dyfed area officer, insisted the council must listen to the community and the consultation must not just be seen as an attempt to “persuade” the community to back the council’s favoured option.

The proposal for a new area school is one of four being considered following a review of education in the Aberaeron district.

While there are no proposals to change the situation in Aberaeron or the coastal areas, education chiefs have warned that changes will be needed in the Aeron Valley.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday