Proposed school closures in Moray have been averted, it has been announced.
Following months of protests and fierce debate, Moray Council has agreed to a moratorium on closing down educational facilities that have been under threat.
But they have agreed to look at urgent capacity issues in Elgin and the situation in Forres town.
Parents in Moray last week said they were “heartbroken” at the proposals, which have been drafted after a year-long sustainable education review.
Prior to today’s important meeting, parents, pupils and all those who have fought the plans handed over a petition to the deciding councillors in a last-ditch attempt to swing the vote their way. The group were even piped in.
Speaking after today’s debate, SNP councillor Pearl Paul – who has opposed the plans all along – said the right decision had finally been made.
“SNP Councillors considered very carefully the issues before us, we set out our position in advance of the Council meeting and, as a result, the Council’s Convener accepted our proposals to save our rural schools in Moray, which are at the heart of our communities and deserve our support,” she said.
Following the decision the leader of Moray Council, Allan Wright, handed in his resignation.