Councillors have unanimously agreed to write to a government minister to support an appeal for a new primary school in Wynyard.
A project to deliver St Joseph’s Church of England Primary School in Wynyard has been planned since 2016 and has been described by residents as “vital to meeting both current and future demand”.
The school has recently been placed on a list of projects that the government is minded-to-cancel.
An appeal was subsequently lodged over the decision ahead of the January 30 deadline, with submissions from Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, Melrose Learning Trust, who would run the school, Hartlepool Borough Council and Wynyard Parish Councils.
At the latest full council meeting councillors unanimously agreed to write a “cross party” letter to the relevant Secretary of State to support the appeal and the school being provided.
This was proposed by Labour’s Councillor Melanie Morley, chair of the council’s children’s services committee, as an amendment to an initial motion on the issue by Councillor Mike Young, Reform UK representative.
Cllr Morley praised the “phenomenal” work of those who have been “working tirelessly” to challenge the decision, including the town’s MP, children’s services team, parish councils and planning committee chair Councillor Moss Boddy.
A petition launched by the parish councils calling for the appeal to succeed has passed 1,000 signatures
Hartlepool’s MP Mr Brash spoke at the meeting to provide an update on what has been done to attempt to see the school delivered, including various talks with government ministers.
He also attended, along with Cllr Morley and Cllr Boddy, a community meeting hosted in collaboration with Wynyard Parish Councils last month.
Labour representatives noted this wasn’t attended by Cllr Young and they accused him of not contacting them prior to the deadline to appeal the decision.
Cllr Young said no Rural West ward councillors attended as they “felt it might get political” and he had spoken with council officers prior.
He added: “We’ve got to get this school back on the map.”
Mr Brash, speaking at the full council meeting, said: “Let me be absolutely clear: I support this school.
“It is needed, and the minded-to-cancel decision is wrong.
“The appeal itself is clear and compelling.”
He argued there are “around 860 more pupils” who could benefit from the school than Department for Education officials anticipated when they made their decision, while further housing growth is expected.
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