PENARTH residents have one final chance to comment on or object to proposals that would see Bute Cottage Nursery merged with Evenlode Primary school in September.

The plans have proven to be highly unpopular in the past, with 71 per cent of responses to the consultation being opposed to the plans.

However, a statutory notice period has been issued and any objections must be made by Wednesday, March 16.

This will be the last chance for members of the community to raise their objections to the plans.

If approved, the proposal will see Bute Cottage Nursery governed by Evenlode Primary School.

The nursery would lose its autonomy, meaning that it will no longer have a headteacher, governing body or independent budget.

As the proposals mean that learning will continue to be based at the existing site, any objections must remain restricted to the amalgamation and not a potential site move.

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Richard Disley, chairman of governors of Bute Cottage Nursery School, said: "The governors of Bute Cottage were disappointed that the proposal has been moved to statutory notice as there remain a number of questions unanswered.

"We are frustrated that many of the issues raised by governors throughout the process remain unanswered despite a further opportunity for councillors to do so at the recent learning and culture scrutiny meeting.  

"Despite Estyn pointing out that the council has not considered the risks and disadvantages associated with the loss of a dedicated headteacher on our children’s educational outcomes, the issue hasn’t been addressed by councillors.  

"Also, we haven’t received any guarantees that funding for three and four-year-olds will be ringfenced within Evenlode’s budget, or that Bute Cottage’s excellent specialist staff will be retained for longer than 12 months.

"It is a well-publicised fact that Evenlode is the lowest funded primary school in the Vale and the increase to their budget as a result of the amalgamation will be subsumed into wider planning, taking resources away from the vital work of early years education. 

"Public opinion is clearly against this proposal and it is disappointing that councillors are choosing to ignore the views of parents, past parents, pupils and local residents, and we would urge everybody that wishes to keep Bute Cottage in its current form to object to the proposal through the Vale Council website."

To comment on the proposal, email sustainablecommunitiesforlearning@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or write to: Paula Ham, Director of Learning and Skills, The Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU