A closure-threatened island primary school was saved today after councillors voted to mothball it for a further year.
Luing Primary School had been recommended for closure by council officials, having been temporarily shut for three years.
However, it was the subject of a presentation by Colin Buchanan, of Luing Community Trust and Luing Community Council, at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee, where its future for now was to be decided.
Mr Buchanan was accompanied by a group of ’Save Our School’ campaigners from the island who have been lobbying hard for a U-turn on the decision.
Councillors this afternoon – mostly from the authority’s strategic opposition partnership – voted in sufficient numbers in favour of an amendment which will stave off closure for more time in the hope of turning the situation around completely.
Dunoon SNP councillor Audrey Forrest chaired the meeting in the absence of usual chair Councillor Yvonne McNeilly (Conservative, Cowal).
Councillor Forrest told the meeting that the amendment, if accepted, would “allow the community to demonstrate the sustainability of the school in the long term”.
At the start of the meeting, Mr Buchanan told the committee: “The strength of feeling is shown by some residents who have come along here to show their support.
“Members will have read the note from the Trust and community council, outlining where we disagree with aspects of the report.
“Our plans are positive and well developed. They have significant cross-organisational support, and they offer people with young families an incentive to work on Luing, and address the depopulation and demographic imbalance.
“In August 2023, Argyll and Bute Council was given an innovation award for delivering school meals by drone.
“Councillor Robin Currie said ‘we are demonstrating what is possible’. I would ask members to take that on board.
“We ask you to continue mothballing. It is vital to show island and rural communities that you are serious about finding ways of tackling depopulation.”
Later in the meeting, councillors debated the options open to them on the future of the school.
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn), who is not on the community services committee but was allowed to speak, said: “Whatever I say cannot have the same effect, or come from the same viewpoint, as an islander.
“You have heard from an islander already today, and I am sure you will have appreciated from him how much the school means to the people on Luing, and the importance of it to the community.”
His ward colleague, SNP councillor Julie McKenzie, added: “I grew up and went to school on Seil and I am acutely aware of just how much the proposed closure of Luing Primary has rocked this close-knit island community.
“I would not swap my island education for anything. It is a massive part of what made me become a councillor in the first place.
“The community of Luing rightly ask for time to grow the school roll, and it requires time and investment from the council. But it cannot happen overnight. This decision will have an impact on this community. This proposal also flies in the face of our plan for Luing.
“Today gives an opportunity to show we are listening to the people of Luing. Today is a day for deeds and not words.”
Councillor Liz McCabe (Independent, Isle of Bute) proposed a motion to accept the recommendation for closure, which was seconded by Councillor Gemma Penfold (Conservative, Helensburgh and Lomond South).
Councillor Forrest, seconded by Councillor McKenzie, put forward the amendment to continue mothballing for a year - and the amendment triumphed by seven votes to four.
Margaret Anderson, who is not a councillor but is a member of the committee, abstained.
Speaking after the meeting, Save Our School lead campaigner Norrie Bissell said: "This is a great day for Luing!! We won! The Argyll & Bute Council Community Services Committee voted by 7 votes to 4 today not to close Luing Primary School on May 31 but to continue its mothballing for at least a year.
"In answer to a question, a Council official told the meeting that, if they did not decide to close the school today, they could not bring forward another closure proposal for five years. This will give us time to attract more families with young children to live on Luing to make it possible to reopen our school. It was clear that it was the strong reasons and pressure from the people of Luing, the Community Council and the Community Trust that impressed the councillors. It was a great success for people power. Many thanks to all our supporters and to the councillors who listened and supported us! We have much to celebrate tonight."
Mr Buchanan later told The Oban Times: "We are delighted that the councillors voted to demonstrate what is possible. The support to extend mothballing gives the Trust and the community time, to deliver on our plans to deliver jobs and housing and attract younger families to live in Luing. It’s is up to us now to drive hard to deliver."
And Luing Community Council issued a statement saying: "Today Argyll & Bute Council’s Community Services Committee voted to extend the mothballing of Luing Primary School for five more years. It is clear that our campaigning and arguments convinced them to decide otherwise. This is a fantastic achievement, so thank you to everyone who played their part.
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