by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

Heartfelt pleas to stop plans going out for public consultation to close three schools in Medway fell on deaf ears last night.

Representatives from St Peter's Infants, St John's Infants and Ridge Medway spoke passionately about their schools when they stood before members of the overview and scrutiny committee when it met at the Corn Exchange in Rochester.

Speeches were also given by the head of St Nicholas Infants Anne-Marie Hutton; the school's chair of governors the Rev Tony Randall; and the chair of governors for All Faiths Children's Community School Derek Morrison.

These schools are set to be merged on the All Faiths site in Strood.

But their efforts were in vain as members agreed with the decision made by cabinet last month to put out for public consultation Medway Council's plans to close three schools and merge 16 others in a bid to transform primary education in the Towns with £11 million government funding.

The Labour Group called the special meeting in the hope that members would agree to its proposal and recommend to cabinet that it scraps the plans and holds discussions with the schools facing possible closure to talk about how they can build on the standards they each provide.

Before the vote was cast Cllr Bill Esterson (Lab) addressed the pupils, staff and parents from the three schools who attended the meeting.

He said: "I think it's a crying shame that the Conservatives are not going to listen tonight but I hope in the consultation you lobby very, very, hard. Make your feelings known over the coming weeks and the best of luck to you all."

• More in Friday's print edition of the Medway Messenger