Church says council could face judicial review over fire-hit school

A BITTER row over the future of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School has escalated dramatically, with the St Davids Diocese threatening legal action against Pembrokeshire County Council over plans to close the fire-damaged village school.

In an extraordinary intervention ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Monday (Jun 15), solicitors acting for the St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) accused the council of running a “procedurally flawed” consultation and warned that councillors risk judicial review if they press ahead with proposals to discontinue the school.

The legal letter, sent by Carreg Law and marked “urgent”, claims the council is using the closure process to avoid responsibility for rebuilding the school following the devastating fire in October 2022.

The future of the school has been hanging in the balance since the blaze forced pupils to relocate to temporary accommodation at Jameston Community Hall.

Legal warning to council

The Diocese, in a letter from Bishop Dorrien Davies, has formally objected to the proposed closure and says the school should instead be fully reinstated.

Lawyers acting for the Church claim the council has failed to respond adequately to previous correspondence dating back to 2023 and warned that Pembrokeshire County Council could face legal claims arising from the handling of the fire and its aftermath.

The letter states: “Our client formally objects to the proposed closure, demands full structural reinstatement of the school premises and places Pembrokeshire County Council on notice that the statutory consultation on the proposed closure and decision-making process undertaken to date is procedurally flawed.”

The Diocese argues that the council has a statutory duty to maintain the school and says any insurance money arising from the fire should be used to restore the building to its pre-fire condition.

It also alleges the council’s actions have left the Diocese exposed to mounting costs because the school remains structurally compromised.

Claims of ‘pre-determination’

The legal challenge goes further, alleging the closure process was effectively decided before the consultation had finished.

Lawyers claim council human resources staff began redundancy consultations with school staff in February 2026, before elected members had formally decided the school’s future.

According to the Diocese, this suggests the public consultation was “a perfunctory exercise rather than a genuine consideration of alternatives”.

The Diocese also accuses the authority of withholding key financial information relating to rebuilding costs, despite repeated requests.

Community opposition highlighted

The intervention comes after council consultation figures showed overwhelming opposition to closure.

Of 252 responses received, more than ninety per cent opposed plans to shut the school.

Parents and campaigners have consistently argued that Manorbier School provides a nurturing environment for children, particularly those requiring additional support, and warned that closure would damage the wider community.

The issue sparked protests outside County Hall in Haverfordwest when councillors met on Thursday (Mar 5) to consider the proposal.

Demonstrators held placards urging the council to save the school, with many arguing that promises had been made to rebuild after the fire.

Church accuses council of discrimination

In one of the strongest claims contained in the letter, the Diocese alleges Pembrokeshire County Council is showing hostility toward Church in Wales education.

The DBF argues that the proposed closure of Manorbier, alongside separate issues affecting other faith schools, demonstrates what it describes as a “systemic pattern” of undermining faith-based education in Pembrokeshire.

Lawyers claim this could amount to discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 because religion and belief are protected characteristics.

The letter also criticises the council for allegedly failing to engage properly with the Diocese over the future of the site and says decisions should not be made without a full understanding of legal and financial liabilities.

Judicial review threat

The Diocese has urged Cabinet to halt the closure proposal and instead enter into negotiations over restoring the school building.

However, if councillors proceed with plans to discontinue the school, the Church says it is prepared to seek judicial review.

The letter warns: “Should the Cabinet proceed to ratify the statutory proposal to discontinue the school on what we say are illegal and discriminatory grounds, our client reserves its rights to pursue all available legal remedies including but not limited to an application for Judicial Review.”

Council officers have previously recommended moving forward with a statutory notice to discontinue the school, arguing that closure is the most sustainable option based on falling pupil numbers, spare capacity at nearby schools, the condition of the building and value for money.

But with legal action now looming, the battle over the future of Manorbier School appears far from over.

UPDATE:

Late on Friday (Jun 12), councillors were sent a further letter from the Diocese of St Davids urging them to think carefully before Monday’s vote. The Church questioned whether a required Community Impact Assessment had been properly undertaken or disclosed, argued Manorbier’s educational standards could not fairly be criticised following a positive Estyn report in 2023, and warned members to ensure they had been given ‘accurate and full information’ before making a decision. The letter also referenced Pembrokeshire County Council’s recent High Court defeat over its Article 4 direction, where judges found councillors had been presented with flawed and incomplete information

School leaders warn delay could push pay rise into New Year as ministers refuse to explain decision

A MAJOR row has erupted over teachers’ pay after the Welsh Government delayed publication of an independent pay review report until September, prompting accusations from education leaders that ministers are treating staff with “disrespect”.

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, has condemned the move as “completely unnecessary” and warned it could delay agreement — and payment — of any September pay rise for teachers and school leaders until late 2026 or even the New Year.

The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report for the 2026/27 academic year had been expected to be published on Friday (Jun 12), followed by a four-week consultation with unions.

However, education unions were informed at a meeting on Wednesday (Jun 10) that publication had instead been postponed until September.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, said the decision risked damaging relations between ministers and the education workforce.

She said: “This completely unnecessary decision will delay agreement and receipt of this September’s pay award for dedicated school leaders and teachers, possibly even until the New Year.

“The Welsh Government has received the completed report, and there is absolutely no reason to sit on it.

“This is not the way for any new government to treat hardworking education professionals or to establish a constructive relationship with trade unions and we sincerely hope it is not a sign of things to come.”

The union is urging ministers to reverse course and publish the report before the summer term ends, allowing consultation to take place ahead of the new school year.

NAHT Cymru also called on Plaid Cymru ministers to honour the previous administration’s commitment to ensure pay awards in Wales at least match those agreed in England.

After more than a decade in which teachers’ pay fell in real terms, Ms Doel said any award must be above inflation and fully funded to avoid further pressure on already stretched school budgets.

She added: “Treating teachers and leaders with respect and offering due recognition and reward for a job which has become increasingly difficult is vital if our schools are to recruit and retain the talented professionals needed to deliver a first-rate education for pupils.”

In response to questions from The Herald, the Welsh Government confirmed it had received the completed report but declined to explain why publication had been delayed or whether any eventual pay rise would be backdated.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have received the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s report and are giving careful consideration to all its recommendations including pay.

“We will publish the report and consult on a proposed pay award for 2026/27 after the summer holidays.”

However, ministers did not directly answer questions from The Herald about who made the decision to delay publication, whether Wales would match any pay award agreed in England, whether schools would receive full funding to cover any increase, or whether teachers would receive backdated pay if agreement is delayed.

The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Welsh education, with schools already facing recruitment and retention pressures, rising costs and continued concern over stretched budgets.

NAHT represents more than 38,000 school leaders across the UK, including heads and senior staff in early years, primary, secondary and special schools.

Campaigners urge supporters to pack County Hall as councillors prepare to decide future of rural school

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Ysgol Clydau are urging families and residents to turn out in force next week, describing Monday’s council meeting as the community’s “last chance to be heard” before a final decision on the school’s future.

Supporters of the north Pembrokeshire school have launched a fresh appeal ahead of a meeting at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Monday (Jun 15), where councillors are expected to determine whether the Welsh-medium village school will close.

In a strongly-worded social media appeal, the Save Ysgol Clydau campaign called on residents to stand together and show councillors the impact the school has had on children and families.

Campaigners said: “If you have ever said ‘someone should do something’ about the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau, that someone is all of us on Monday morning.”

The group is asking supporters to gather outside County Hall at 9:00am, saying the meeting could be the community’s final opportunity to influence the outcome.

The campaign argues that Ysgol Clydau plays a unique role not only in education but also as the heart of a Welsh-speaking rural community.

Supporters say the school has transformed the lives of some pupils, helped vulnerable families during difficult times, and provides opportunities that could be lost forever if closure plans go ahead.

“We know many people are disappointed by the decision that has already been made,” campaigners said.

“We know many feel their voices have not been heard. But if we stay silent now, there will be no voice left to hear.”

The proposed closure has sparked strong feelings locally, with many residents warning that the loss of another rural school would deal a major blow to village life in north Pembrokeshire.

Campaigners have adopted the slogan: “Once a rural school is gone, it’s gone forever.”

Monday’s gathering at County Hall is expected to attract parents, pupils, former pupils and residents from across the area as the long-running battle over the school reaches a critical stage.

A spokesperson for the campaign said the message was simple: “Stand with our children. Stand with our community. Stand with Ysgol Clydau.”

Photo caption:

Save our school: Campaigners are urging supporters to attend County Hall on Monday (Pic: Save Ysgol Clydau).