#Walsall Council seek views on Bryntysilio axe

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Walsall Council seek views on Bryntysilio axe
The YamYam 30 Oct 09
Walsall residents are being given the opportunity to have their say over the future of under threat Bryntysilio outdoor education centre.

Every year since 1968, thousands of Walsall children have enjoyed the experience of outdoor activities at the residential centre just outside Llangollen in North Wales. Now, cash strapped Walsall Council are considering closing the facility in an attempt to save the annual £500,000 running costs. Nearly 5,000 people have joined an online campaign to save the popular centre on the social networking website Facebook.

Council bosses have set up a working group to review the options for Bryntysilio and have suggested possible alternatives including Laches Wood Outdoor Education Centre in Staffordshire and Chasewater Outdoor Education Centre. It is claimed that these alternatives could operate at no cost to the council but parents will still be expected to find the £185 standard fee for a 5 day residential visit.

A public meeting to discuss the options is scheduled for Monday November 2 from 6pm at the Council House, Lichfield Street, Walsall.

Councillor Louise Harrison, lead member of the Bryntysilio Working Group, said: "We are very keen to hear what people have to say as their views will really help us in deciding the best way forward.

"No decisions have been made yet and we are looking at all the options. It is essential we get this right as it is important children have the chance to experience outdoor residential education but at the same time we need to be mindful of the costs involved.

"This public meeting will give people the chance to have their say. I would stress, however, that the numbers able to attend will be limited and therefore I would urge groups of people who all want to put across the same point to think about nominating someone to attend and speak on behalf of everyone."

Residents can also email or write to the council to express their views on the future of outdoor education in the borough. E-mails should be sent to performanceandscrutiny@walsall.gov.uk and will be taken into account by members of the Bryntysilio Working Group as part of their discussions. Alternatively submissions can be sent to Bryntysilio Working Group, c/o Craig Goodall, Performance & Scrutiny, The Loft, Council House, Walsall, WS1 1TW.

The working group is set to present its final report and recommendations to the Community Services Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 26 November 2009. The final decision will be taken by Cabinet some time in the future.



BBC Black Country 29 Sep 09 Campaigners' plea over Bryntysilio
Express & Star 25 July Bryntysilio fight goes online
Cllr Ian Shires 15 Jul Bryntysilio: future uncertain
Cllr Ian Shires 14 Jul Meeting to scrutinise Bryntysilio
Cllr Ian Shires 12 Jul Bryntysilio: a Tory cut too far
Express & Star 8 Jul Bleak outlook for Bryntysilio threat
Cllr Ian Shires 7 Jul Plans long on words short on action
Express & Star 6 Jul Youth outdoor centre faces axe
Cllr Ian Shires 18 Jun WMBC Community Scrutiny panel
Walsall Council Children & Young people's plan 2011-12
Walsall Council Bryntysilio outdoor education centre
Twitter @SaveBryntysilio
Facebook Home - search for "Save Bryntysilio!"
Email Walsall Council performanceandscrutiny@walsall.gov.uk

YamYam 22 Sep Comment: Doughnuts on Lichfield St
BrownhillsBob 19 Sep Comment: ...and so it begins
YamYam 19 Sep Walsall leisure centres under threat
YamYam links 9 Sep Cash crisis at Walsall Council

Tags: Education, Youth, Schools