Parents of children who attend the school on Stark Avenue addressed West Dunbartonshire councillors when a public meeting on the budget proposals was held last Tuesday night at Clydebank Town Hall. The closure was one of 28 proposals the local authority put forward in its 2015-2018 budget in a bid to save £8 million.

Members of Carleith Parent Teacher Council told the meeting families had concerns about the upset a move to Goldenhill Primary would cause youngsters and expressed concern about transport and class sizes.

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, who represents the area home to Carleith Primary School, earlier told the Post that he supported parents in their fight to keep the school open.

Commenting on the council’s controversial budget paper, he said “school closures shouldn’t be on there”.

He added: “Douglas McAllister and I are quite clear and if need be we will go to the wire on this. Our colleagues in the Labour group know exactly where we are coming from. We are not happy that it is even being considered.

“We have huge decisions to make on frontline services because of a lack of on-going revenue but we made it quite clear to our colleagues and others within the council that Carleith’s not closing.

“It’s a very good school, it has a very good school community and we at the council can look at the options to make sure it is a viable school. “It’s a small school in terms of its roll but that is increasing and there are 15 new kids registered for next term as well.” He added: “If it was ever to close because of the condition of the building that would be done in a planned way, not by saying we are closing it down and that’s with immediate effect. We would be looking at three to four to five years to let people know here’s where we are going so families are aware.” Terry Lanagan, director of education at WDC, said the local authority would work closely with all parties involved to find a suitable solution for pupils currently attending Carleith Primary.

He said: “There is no such thing as a popular school closure. It’s difficult, it’s an emotional thing for parents, which is very understandable. It’s a tribute to the quality of our schools that they’re so attached to them. But the fact of life is that West Dunbartonshire cannot afford to go into the future with 34 primary schools and we have to take some difficult decisions.” It is currently unclear whether or not the children’s psychological services unit, based within the grounds of Carleith Primary, will remain there or be moved should the school close.

For a report on last week’s budget consultation meeting turn to page 4.