What powers it has and what action it intends to take to prevent Angus Council from closing St Vigeans Primary School following the recomme…

I understand that, at this stage, Angus Council have the position of St Vigean's Primary School under review, but that there is no formal proposal to close the school. If, after further consideration, they propose to close the school, there is a statutory requirement, which applies to all school closure proposals, for consultation with parents and school boards. The statutory consultation process ensures that there is an opportunity for those consulted to make their views known to the authority at the appropriate time.Decisions on school closures are generally for the local authorities, except in certain circumstances prescribed in statute where the consent of the Scottish Ministers is required. The main circumstances in which such consent is required are where the school concerned is more than 80% full, or where, in the case of a primary school, pupils would have to attend a different primary school which is 8.046720 kilometres (five miles) or more distant from the school proposed for closure. I have no information on whether such consent will be required in the event of a formal closure of St Vigean's. Angus Council are aware of the relevant statutory requirements.