The Shirehall’s new leader has moved quickly to remove the closure threat to more than 20 small Shropshire schools.

Keith Barrow, who now leads the Conservative group which won a landslide victory in last week’s Shropshire Council elections, said he wanted the authority to return to the old schools policy of the former county council.

Under this policy 22 schools would escape the threat of closure to tackle falling pupil numbers and loss of Government funding.

The majority of these schools have fewer than 90 pupils and almost all are recognised as high performing.

The old policy would only trigger a review, leading to possible closure, if pupil numbers fell below 20.

An independent policy commission has been looking at the future of the Shropshire schools network and the problems faced. Its report and recommendations are expected soon.

Councillor Barrow said today: “I would be foolish not to listen to what the commission has to say but as a matter of principle we support small rural schools.

“I want us to go back to the old policy which means that none of the schools would be closed. We have a lot of excellent small rural schools and I want them to know that this Conservative administration will support them.”

The move to close schools led to a public outcry in many parts of the county and in January last year there was a massive protest at Shirehall involving hundreds of parents, pupils and staff. The then Tory administration decided not to go ahead with plans to consult on possible closures but the threat was never fully removed.

Councillor Barrow’s comments were welcomed by Ludlow Tory MP, Philip Dunne. He said: “The statement by the new leader to protect small schools which are able to offer quality education in rural areas is a great start.”

Councillor Barrow said his administration also plans to have a new debate on controversial plans to build a waste incinerator at Battlefield, Shrewsbury.

By Dave Morris