Pembrokeshire County Council will go back to the drawing board not only for secondary school education in Haverfordwest but also in Pembroke, Milford Haven, Tenby and Crymych it was decided today (Thursday).

The decision was the result of an extraordinary meeting, called to discuss a notice of motion by Cllr Paul Miller calling for plans for an 11-19 school for Haverfordwest to be progressed by the education department and that proposals for an 11-16 school for the county town be shelved.

Councillors were told that Cllr Miller’s proposal could not progress, as it went against the Welsh Government’s school reorganisation code.

They were also told that a likely half a million reduction to Pembrokeshire’s post 16 financial settlement would leave four schools facing cuts of £75,000 or more, along with falling pupil numbers this would mean that there would be “significant challenges in maintaining sixth forms in all Pembrokeshire secondary schools”.

Council leader, Jamie Adams, told the meeting: “We have questions about sustainability of sixth forms, particularly in Milford Haven and Tenby, you don’t see a solution to that without bringing discussion today around schools in Haverfordwest and the school in Pembroke. We must rule nothing in and nothing out.”

Several councillors proposed amendments to Cllr Miller’s notice of motion. After a 45 minute adjournment it was amended to: “That this council task the education department to work up proposals for secondary school provision in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Tenby and Crymych and regard is given to dovetailing that provision with existing proposals for St Davids and Fishguard.”

Members heard that proposals for St Davids and Fishguard were currently with the minister and that any deviation from these could put them in jeopardy.

“Is this pushing the 11-16 model that the people of Pembrokeshire and elected members have roundly and conclusively rejected,” asked Cllr David Simpson.

“This is just the leader way of getting in in the back door. An 11-19 school in Haverfordwest is what we want, is what we have voted on.”

Cllr Mike Stoddart questioned the validity of the amended notice of motion: “This is a wrecking amendment,” he said. “The purpose of this notice of motion was to put a proposal before this council for an 11-19 school in Haverfordwest. That proposal is not being put before the council. An 11-19 school does not feature in the mix.”

Cllr John Allen Mirehouse said: “The amendment looks at the whole of secondary school education in Pembrokeshire. That is what we have to do. That is the sensible way forward.”

Director for children and schools, Kate Evan-Hughes added: “My concern around the original notice of motion is does it fulfil our requirement that we go to consultation with an open mind.”

The amended notice of motion was accepted by council with a small majority of eight votes, with 28 members voting for it and 22 against it.

The webcast of the council meeting is available here: http://pembrokeshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/232336#