The fight to halt Shropshire’s controversial policy for tackling falling pupil numbers, has been taken to the local government ombudsman.
Shirehall Lib Dem opposition leader Peter Phillips has forwarded a series of complaints from campaigners to the Commission for Local Administration in England.
He said that protesters had got nowhere after nine months of presenting rational argument and clear evidence to the county council
“The county council has treated them dismissively, failed to debate their submissions, and not answered questions or complaints satisfactorily,” said Councillor Phillips.
One of the most serious complaints is an allegation of maladministration over the way the council drew up its schools organisation policy.
The evidence supporting the allegation was drafted by the authority’s former chief engineer Joe Roberts, who is vice-chairman of governors at Onny School near Craven Arms.
It was sent to the head of the council’s legal department, Claire Porter, and investigated by the assistant education director for children and young people’s services, Ian Budd. He later said the claims had not been upheld.
The complaint alleges that the council failed to comply with the Code of Practice on Consultation.
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