East Dunbartonshire Council is set to move to the next stage of the statutory consultation process on its proposal to close the area's two special schools – Campsie view School in Lenzie and Merkland School in Kirkintilloch – and invest £23.5m to build one state-of-the-art school in Kirkintilloch.

Having launched a consultation in April, a report on the findings has been published today (Wednesday 24 October 2018) and will be available to view in accordance with Scottish Government legislation.

Joint Leader, Councillor Vaughan Moody said: " The report lays out a vast range of information about the consultation including the background and development of the proposal, the assessment by Education Scotland and the overall findings of the consultation. There is also a summary of issues raised in the consultation, a discussion of those issues, and potential related actions that could be considered in implementing the proposal. It is a very detailed report."

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Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, this consultation report must be published for at least three weeks before the Council can decide whether or not to implement the proposal. This is known as the 'extended consideration period'. This period is intended to allow interested parties to read the report and to make their views known to their Councillors.

Joint Leader, Councillor Andrew Polson, added: "Following this three week extended consideration period the Council will make a decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposal, so it is important to consider the report and make your views heard during this time.

"If the Council decides to proceed with this proposal following this stage of the statutory consultation, the Scottish Government will be notified of the Council's decision. Scottish Ministers then have six weeks to decide whether to call in that decision for review.

"For the first three weeks of that period, interested parties may make representations to Ministers regarding the decision. More information on the call in process, and the relevant legislation, can be found on the Scottish Government website."

Parents, residents and other interested parties can view the report on the council website, and reference copies are also available at Campsie View School, Merkland School, Community Hubs and Council Offices at 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TJ.