Aberdeenshire Council have axed plans to mothball four nurseries which an MSP said was “putting the wellbeing of rural communities at stake.”
The matter was due to be discussed at an emergency meeting today [Monday June 9] to consider a referral from the Education & Children’s Services Committee to mothball the Ballogie, Crosssroads, Glass and Sandhaven Early Learning and Childcare settings.
MSP Alexander Burnett, who has been a leading campaigner against the proposed closures, had called on councillors to “revisit” plans to close the nurseries with the view of also holding a full public consultation.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Burnett, the MSP for Aberdeenshire West, had received confirmation from the Scottish Government that Aberdeenshire Council should hold a public consultation, under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, before any decision is taken.
Aberdeenshire Council has since halted plans to shut the nurseries and will now be looking to gain savings from elsewhere amid ongoing concerns over their finances.
Council leader Gillian Owen said: “The administration is minded to seek a review of our mothballing guidance to incorporate a consultation process with parents.”
“We acknowledge the strong feelings concerning the four settings and appreciate the concerns of parents who highly value their local early learning facilities.”
“We are trying to balance the needs of children and families, with a challenging financial position – but it is critical we do this in the right way.”
“We will be recommending that we pause planning for all future mothballing activity currently underway, whilst we examine the guidance.”
“Whilst we have been engaging with parents, we need to consult at a much earlier stage to inform the decision-making process, and we will explore how to integrate this into the procedure.”
“We will also recommend reversing the budget decision identifying this as a saving in our 2025/26 budget process and seek to identify the saving from elsewhere.”
“We are taking the unusual step of announcing our intention prior to the meeting in the hope that we remove further anxiety for the people who have made requests to speak.”
Alexander Burnett commented: “The decision to take these plans off the table is a victory for our rural areas.”
“These nurseries help form the pillar of our communities and they are assets that we must keep open across Aberdeenshire.
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“I am pleased Aberdeenshire Council has listened to the concerns of parents and has also agreed to review its mothballing policy which I have also been campaigning for.”
“Rural nurseries like these are crucial, not just in preparing children for school by providing high quality care, but in supporting working parents, especially mothers.”
“Devastating cuts inflicted by the SNP government have pushed Aberdeenshire Council into a corner on a range of services, but I am glad councillors have acted in the best interests here of the children and the community.”
