Date Set for Special Meeting of Educational Services Committee to Consider the School Estate Management Plan

The Moray Council Educational Services Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday 7 November 2005 at 9.30 a.m. in the Council Chamber to consider proposals for the future of the school estate in Moray.  This date has been selected in order to ensure a full four clear weeks, excluding the October school holiday period of two weeks, between the publication of the Committee Paper and the meeting itself.

Meantime, all of the information gleaned from the recent series of public consultation meetings and the vast numbers of written submissions are being collated and studied in detail by Alistair Farquhar, Head of Educational Resource Services, who will thereafter compile a report which it is intended to publish by 26 September 2005.

The purpose of the meeting on 7 November 2005 is to consider in detail outcomes of the public consultation and to consider proposals for future action with regard to the school estate in Moray over the coming years with particular reference to the issue of over-capacity in the Primary sector.  Should any of these proposals involve the
 potential closure of any school then a further period of statutory consultation will be undertaken prior to any final decisions being made thereafter by the Elected Members.

Given the level of public interest and the restricted seating available in the Chamber, arrangements are being finalised for this meeting to be webcast live in order to enable as many people as possible to view the proceedings.

Information letters will be issued at the start of the new school term on Monday 15 August to a variety of stakeholders detailing the above thus ensuring that all are appropriately informed.

Contact: Joyce Pirie, Public Relations Co-ordinator on 01343 563046