A MEETING held to discuss the future of an important educational facility in Denbigh has been described as disappointing by local politicians.

Chris Ruane MP for Vale of Clwyd and Ann Jones Vale of Clwyd AM met with the principal of Coleg Llandrillo Lawrence Wood and chief executive of Grwp Llandrillo Menai Dafydd Evans on Friday to voice their opposition to the proposed closure of Denbigh Community College in a few months time.

The proposed closure received overwhelming opposition from the Denbigh community, with an online student-led petition receiving over 2,000 signatures.

Mr Ruane had campaigning in Denbigh following a packed public meeting on Friday March 17, when Denbigh community first voiced its opposition to the announced closure.

Mr Ruane and Ms Jones have since received emails from students, former students, parents and residents concerned about the proposal by Grwp Llandrillo Menai to close the college at the end of the academic year.

Mr Ruane said: “We have been contacted by many people who cannot believe this decision has been taken,” said Mr Ruane.

“It was announced with no consultation with anyone and will have a huge detrimental effect on students and Denbigh as a whole.

“In many cases people who have been dealing with anxiety or other social and mental health issues have stated how attending Denbigh College has helped them.

“Students with additional needs have also benefitted from the close community provided by the campus and it was very disappointing at how little of this had been taken into account by Grwp Llandrillo Menai.

“There are so many unanswered questions surrounding this such as why only one resident of Denbighshire is on the board of governors for Grwp Llandrillo Menai.

“We don’t believe a proper assessment has been made regarding the proposed closure and are calling on Grwp Llandrillo Menai to reverse this decision.”

Ms Jones added: “Students having to continue on another site might make continuing their study almost impossible due to travel costs or time and additional childcare.

“I feel that with the right marketing strategy and the college providing courses relevant to the local economy more students will be attracted to attend, and the College will remain an important and viable part of Denbigh, continuing to produce great education outcomes for learners.

“I will continue to push the board to adopt these policies and keep the college open.”

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, has also criticised plans to move students from a campus in Denbigh halfway through their courses.

He said: “I was given verbal assurances that no students currently studying at the college would be affected because they were all on one-year courses. I have since had an e-mail from the college chief executive saying that there are 17 students currently on their first year of a two-year course in Health and Social Care, Technology, Music and Craft and Design.

“They are expected to switch to either Rhyl or Rhos on Sea for next year, something that I know will be difficult if not impossible for those with childcare and transport issues. The e-mail states that there will be college transport from Denbigh to the two campuses but there is no mention of how students will get to Denbigh from outlying areas to get to those college sites if they have to start travelling earlier.”