A SCOTS council is to embark on a series of controversial school closures, citing falling rolls and the drain on resources.

By Gerry Braiden

A SCOTS council is to embark on a series of controversial school closures, citing falling rolls and the drain on resources.

North Lanarkshire is planning to shut four primaries, saving around £1million. However, the action is expected to generate community opposition and protests, as well as splits in the local Labour party.

Councillors from the ruling Labour administration have already come out against closures in their areas, with local Labour MSP Michael McMahon one of the first to sign the petition against the plans to shut Belvidere Primary in Bellshill.

Other schools affected are St Matthew's in Wishaw, St Francis of Assisi in Cumbernauld and Gartsherrie in Coatbridge.

Reports on all four schools highlight falling rolls, with St Matthew's operating at just 33% of its capacity, Belvidere 39%, St Francis of Assisi around 50% and Gartsherrie around 70%, while other schools in the vicinity are also struggling.

The state of some of those earmarked for closure and the cost of ongoing maintenance have been cited, as well as the economic backdrop.

North Lanarkshire's budget is expected to take a hit of around £75m in the coming years but the council claims there will be no compulsory redundancies. Together, the closures would save the authority more than £900,000 annually.

The St Francis of Assisi report says: "Given current financial pressures, it is essential to make best use of the available resources. School closures and the redeployment of accommodation in primary schools are part of that strategy."

Cumbernauld SNP councillor Alan O'Brien said: "The council is ripping the heart out of this community. Instead of closing schools we should be promoting a joint campus on the site of St Francis."

Murdo Maciver, the council's head of educational resources, said: "There is a special committee meeting taking place next Monday to discuss this."