Iain Nisbet, the Convener of the School Closure Review Panels, has published his seventh annual report.
The Convener has submitted the report to the Scottish Ministers in line with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”). The report covers the exercise of the Convener’s functions during the year 2021 and the exercise of the functions of any School Closure Review Panel which has carried out a review under the 2010 Act in that year.
Introducing the report, Mr Nisbet said:
“During 2021 the Scottish Ministers called in two school closure decisions which were taken by Falkirk Council. I convened a Panel to consider both matters. The Panel refused consent to Falkirk Council’s proposals in respect of the closure of Bothkennar Primary School and Limerigg Primary School, and published its decisions on 24 September 2021.
In January 2021, I carried out a recruitment process for new appointments of people eligible to serve as a panel member, with support from existing members. We received a high calibre of applications and I appointed three new people, who joined the existing seven eligible panel members.
Ongoing training has continued, with an online training event in June 2021. The training served as an opportunity to hear from colleagues who had previously chaired or sat on panels, but also to discuss, develop and update the internal guidance for panel members.”
The full report can be found here