The accelerated process being followed by Dumfries and Galloway Council Education Department to mothball Dalry Secondary School without any considerations of the short, medium and longer term impacts on the wider Glenkens community has been highlighted by the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group.
They have contacted Dumfries and Galloway Council requesting that the decision on
mothballing is delayed until further discussion between the wider community, the
Education Department, the Communities Department the Community Partnership
Planning Board and Elected Members takes place. Their paper setting out the
rationale for this request is attached.
The provision of educational facilities is a key underpin to the long-term sustainability of
the Glenkens community. Good education provision is important not only for the people
currently living the Glenkens but also to retain existing families and attract families to
move to the area. More homes, jobs and businesses are critical to our area and a key
factor in people deciding to live here and businesses locating here will be access to a
good education.
This accelerated mothballing process appears to be being deliberately used by the
Education Department to sidestep the need to formally consult on closure and/or to
create mitigation plans that will minimise the impact on the Glenkens young people and
the wider community. The Community Action Plan Steering Group believes that this is
a misuse of process that the wider Dumfries and Galloway Council and Community
Partnership Planning Board should be aware of. Allowing this accelerated mothballing
process to continue will not just disadvantage the young people and communities of the
Glenkens, but potentially all of our small rural schools, accelerating rural depopulation
and working in direct opposition to the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan.
