The policy commission which will have the task of finding a way out of the Shropshire schools crisis, will not have a timescale imposed on it, county council leaders have been told.

Ann Hartley, cabinet member for children’s services, said she had been accused of rushing through a policy to tackle falling pupil numbers and funding problems, and she would not be rushing the work of the commission.

“Everybody needs to have a say, and feel they they are being listened to, and indeed be listened to,” she said.

Councillor Hartley was responding to comments by Labour group leader Alan Mosley at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.

Councillor Mosley said 22 schools had been stigmatised by being named on a list of proposed closures and others faced a high degree of uncertainty over numbers on roll and the budgets they would receive.

He said it was important to put a time limit on the commission and it was not unreasonable to ask it report within 12 months. If the process was allowed to drift it would add to the uncertainty and worry in schools.

Councillor Hartley said it would be up to the commission’s independent chairman to decide when its work was complete.

“It needs to be thorough and I am not happy to put a timescale on it,” she said.

“It must not be rushed. It is imperative that we get things right.”

The cabinet agreed the specification for an independent chairman, as set out in a report by chief executive Carolyn Downs.

Members also agreed she should bring forward suggested people for the post for members to meet and appoint.

Mrs Downs said in her report the person appointed should have a “high level of empathy and understanding” of rural communities and of urban settlements within those communities.

Previous experience of chairing high level policy commissions or select committees was needed, along with a strong understanding of local government finance.