Councillors agree Kilchrenan School closure - now ministers to have say

But a councillor has expressed hope that a community group will be allowed to take on the building to run as an alternative facility.

The school has been mothballed since March 2022, with no pupils on its roll and the number not expected to significantly rise soon.

The catchment area of Taynuilt Primary School will be extended to take in the entirety of Kilchrenan’s catchment area.

The decision was made unopposed at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Thursday August 22.

Councillor Andrew Vennard (Conservative, Oban North and Lorn) said: “There is interest from community groups, which we are keen to encourage.

“I look forward to seeing the council working with them to find an alternative use for the building.”

The decision will now be referred to Scottish ministers, who have the power to overrule it if a school closure review panel does not agree.

A report from the council said: “The Scottish ministers will have a maximum of eight weeks to call in any closure decision made by the education authority in certain circumstances.

“This eight-week timeframe would consist of an initial three weeks from the date of decision, during which representations can be made to the ministers, and a further five weeks for the Scottish ministers to decide whether to issue a call-in notice.

“During this period the education authority will not proceed to implement any closure decision.
“If the Scottish ministers call-in a closure proposal, it will be referred to the convener of the school closure review panels. The convener must constitute a school closure review panel within seven days for determination.

“The education authority may not implement a closure decision in whole or in part until the panel has made its determination. It will usually issue a decision within eight weeks of the panel being constituted.

“If the school closure review panel refuses to consent to the closure decision, or following publication of the consultation report, the education authority decides not to implement the closure proposal, the education authority cannot publish a further closure proposal in relation to the school for five years, unless there is a significant change in the school’s circumstances.”

The same report stated that five members of the public attended a consultation event organised by the council in January, with none expressing the view that the school should remain open.