WELSH Government 21st Century Schools funding, which would have been used to finance a new school build in Haverfordwest, with a sixth form centre at Pembrokeshire College, is likely to be lost before proposals are ironed out, Council Leader Jamie Adams has warned.

This follows a surprise 31-24 defeat of controversial plans to close Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward Schools and provide sixth form at a new Pembrokeshire College centre at last Thursday’s meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Some 70 per cent of people responding to the unpopular proposal had favoured keeping sixth form provision in school, with students from Tasker Milward and STP protesting outside County Hall calling for any new school to have its own sixth form.

At that meeting, Cllr Adams, who had warned 21st Century Schools funding had a strict timescale, had described the plans as “probably the most controversial and certainly the most high profile decision this authority has made for many years”.

Following the defeat, a call has been made by Councillor Paul Miller, backed by 22 fellow councillors, for an extraordinary meeting to work up firm proposals for an 11-19 school in Haverfordwest, rather than separate A level provision, and for a vote of no confidence in Cabinet member for education Cllr Sue Perkins.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Adams said he was “not prepared to be nailed down on any one option for education”, and that further discussions and consultations would be needed to consider future options.

He said last Thursday’s vote would mean any future development was likely to be outside the timescale for the 21st Century Schools funding.

“The very latest we needed to be on site to deliver was by January 2017, I don’t think we’ll be half way through the process by then,” said Cllr Adams.

“Without a shift on 21st Century Schools timescales any process will put us outside the school funding.

“It is highly unlikely we’ll be able to fund it.”

A full interview with the council leader will appear in this week's Western Telegraph.