Council vote to proceed with Abronhill High closure

CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of Abronhill High School have vowed to push for Scottish Government intervention after North Lanarkshire Council voted to proceed with the plan.

The public gallery at NLC’s main chamber was filled to capacity for this meeting of the learning and leisure committee. More protesters were assembled outside the authority’s Motherwell headquarters for the meeting this morning (Wednesday).

However, a vote denied those campaigners the chance to speak at the meeting due to this being against stnading orders.

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SNP councillors called for other members to vote against the proposals and at times during the meeting campaigners struggled to contain their emotions.

Convener Jim Logue stressed the council’s commitment to education standards and underlined that the authority has pledged to build an excellent new school for the combined Cumbernauld High and Abronhill High population.

Councillor David Stocks proposed an amendment to retain Abronhill High with its excess capacity used for a community hub, and proceed with construction of a new school building at Cumbernauld High, but this was soundly defeated.

The matter will again be raised at a full meeting of the council beginning at 4 p.m. today.