A LLANBADARN Fawr councillor has hit out at the process of closing schools, claiming that it is undemocratic.

Cllr Paul James has hit out after he learnt that objections he had made against the closure of Cwmpadarn School had not been included as part of the statutory process as they had been made during the council’s consultation into the school’s proposed closure, and had instead been provided in Cabinet papers as exempt information.

He said that had led to constituents questioning why he wasn’t supporting the school and insisted that representations from Llanbadarn Fawr Community Council and MP Mark Williams had also been included in exempt information.

More than 180 people have also objected to the proposed closure of Llangynfelyn School ahead of a decision expected by the full council at the end of the year.

Cllr James also complained that under the statutory process, anyone who objects to a closure proposal must make an official objection during the statutory notice period. Representations made during the council’s own consultation will not be counted under that process.

He said: “People in Llanbadarn have already objected once, so think ‘why would I object again?’ There’s no consistency in how names and addresses of people who objected are mentioned in council papers.

“The Welsh Government process is flawed. Out there, the perception would be that nothing has been done by me as a local councillor.

“I’m outraged that they’ve put my letter on pink papers. I’m accountable to my constituency and residents. There’s nothing to show my residents that I’m doing anything.

“The council needs to send a message back to the Welsh Government that the process is flawed. Our officers’ hands were tied.”See this week's south editions of the Cambrian News for the full story or click the Digital Editions tab at the top of the page