EXCLUSIVE by Peter Kitchen
Villagers will be given the chance to have their say on a controversial scheme to merge two schools after plans were revealed for a parish referendum.
Voters in the Bayston Hill area will go to the polls on April 24 after a little-known piece of legislation was enacted by campaigners to force a parish-wide vote on the proposed merger of Oakland and Longmeadow primary schools.
The vote will be held under the terms of the 1987 Parish and Communities Meetings (Polls) Rules, which states that if a number of people demand a public poll on a specific issue at an officially-convened meeting it must go ahead.
Around 25 parishioners attended a public meeting in the village on March 26 when calls for the poll were made.
The two questions which residents will vote on are: Is the parish of Bayston Hill large enough to sustain two primary schools? Do the people of Bayston Hill wish for the proposed amalgamation of Oakland and Longmeadow Primary Schools to proceed?
The last time the legislation was enacted in the borough was in September 2000, when Condover residents went to the polls over plans to create a Dorrington bypass.
The issue has seen parents with youngsters at both schools clashing at public meetings.
Although the results of the poll will be in no way binding for any decision made by county education chiefs, it has been claimed the vote will give a clear indication about public opinion in the area.
The poll will be conducted by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council officials in a similar fashion to a local election.
Polling stations will be open from 4pm to 9pm at Bayston Hill Memorial Hall and the village’s Methodist church, and only voting in person will be allowed.
Karen Smith, of SABC’s electoral services department, said: “This legislation isn’t used very often – the last occasion it was used in the borough was in 2000 in Condover over the Dorrington bypass.
“The poll isn’t binding – the outcome is no more than an expression of the views of the people of the parish.”
Hazel Jones, vice-chair of Bayston Hill Parish Council, said: “The matter will be discussed in a closed meeting of the parish council on April 14 and we can make no further comment at this stage.”