The final decision to close fire-ravaged Manorbier school has been given the go-ahead, despite a heartfelt last-minute plea by local councillor Phil Kidney to keep it open.

Back in March, Pembrokeshire County Council members backed a recommendation that the Director of Education at Pembrokeshire County Council be authorised to publish a statutory notice to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales voluntary controlled school.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire in October 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

After that, a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but last year councillors backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which, amongst other recommendations, included a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

The decision attracted strong local opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition on the council’s own website calling for the school to be rebuilt.

The formal consultation for the discontinuation of Manorbier closed last December.

However, many of the council’s figures, especially on the level of surplus places at the school, have been strongly disputed.

At a special extraordinary council meeting held on June 15, members were asked to consider a report on a summary of 62 objections received in respect of the proposal to discontinue Manorbier VC school, which included options to end that discontinuation or to launch a fresh consultation.

However, it was recommended, in a report present by deputy leader Cllr Paul Miller, who now also has responsibility for education, for the discontinuation be proceeded with.

At the meeting, local councillor Phil Kidney, who has been a staunch supporter of the keeping the school open, thanked the campaigners who fought for it and the dedication of the staff, including headteacher Sharon Davies.

Cllr Kidney stated: “The way this authority has treated her and the staff is quite frankly amazing; we have all let these good people down.

“We’ve all let these people down, the way this council has handled this situation is appalling; from day one not one of the executives came up to see these children, no-one came out; if that was Haverfordwest or Tenby they’d be all over the place.”

He said the wording of the consultation had seen more mentions of St Florence [ the alternative school for pupils in the event of a discontinuation] than Manorbier, describing it as “like a brochure for St Florence”.

He also warned the Diocese of St Davids, which had always pressed for the school to be rebuilt, would not allow the council to “walk away from our liabilities lightly”.

“We’ve been promised by two leaders and the chief executive: ‘Don’t worry we’ll rebuild,’ sometimes you’ve got to be big enough an honour your promises; do the right thing today, vote for Manorbier and keep it open,” he stated.

Members later heard the diocese had, in a letter received by councillors, made “damning accusations the council is being biased against voluntary controlled schools,” with Cllr Jamie Adams saying the council administration should be “ashamed of this debacle”.

Cllr Miller said his only consideration was “the future welfare of the children,” adding: “I do not think 20 children educated in a welfare centre in Jameston is the best for them.”

He said that no pupils would have to travel more than 2.1 miles for their education as a result of a closure, Cllr Kidney disputing that figure more like 3.5 miles.

Cllr Miller said the wording in from the letter from the diocese “which had a dog in the fight” was a one-sided legal argument, adding the council had actually opened VC schools.

Cllr Aled Thomas, chair of the working group which had presented the proposals in the first place, said: “The whole thing is an omnishambles, a total mess of how it’s been handled, but we are where we are.

“The important thing to remember is the future for these children, there will be kids in that school that have never been taught in a classroom setting. Tough decisions are never going to be easy; not a single one of us got elected wanting to be in this position.

“I’m no friend of the administration but we need to look at it holistically.”

Members, by 30 votes to 23, with four abstentions, supported the final steps to close the school.

Posting after the decision, the Friends of Manorbier School said: “Today is a difficult day, as the final decision to close Manorbier Primary School has now been made.

“There were some heartfelt comments and statements during the council meeting. The children, staff, parents and wider community have been waiting far too long for a decision. While this outcome was not unexpected, it is still hard to hear those final words spoken aloud.”

It added: “There are still questions that need to be asked, but the fight to keep the school open has come to an end. Our focus must now be on supporting the children and their families as they prepare for the transition ahead. The staff, too, finally have an answer.”

Gareth David Blain, also shared: “As Chair of Governors I am absolutely devastated by this news. My thoughts are with our children, their parents and guardians, the staff and the community. We have been failed on every level by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“We have been misled throughout this entire process.

“I have absolutely no condidence in the Director of Education Mr Stephen Richards Downes. His lack of basic communication skills and empathy is deeply concerning for someone who is in charge of education in our county.”

Currently suspended County Councillor, Alan Dennison, posted a list on social media of all the councillors who voted in favour of the proposal to close the school (and the political parties they represent on the Local Authority, as follows: Tom Tudor; Guy Woodham; Josh Beynon; Tony Wilcox; Simon Hancock; Marc Tierney; Paul Miller; Maureen Bowen; Nicola Gwynn (all Labour); Mark Carter; Aled Thomas; Rhys Jordan; Di Clements; Danny Young; Steve Yelland; Claire George; David Howlett (all Welsh Conservatives) Alistair Cameron (Lib Dems: John Davies (Independent); Viv Stoddart; Jacob Williams; Tessa Hodgson; Michelle Bateman; Bethan Price; Aaron Carey; Jon Harvey; Neil Prior; Pat Davies; David Simpson; Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (all unaffiliated).

Cllr Dennison remarked: “It is disheartening to witness the unfortunate fate of a school that, due to poor working practices and inadequate insurance, was destroyed by a contracting company associated with the council.

“Despite assurances from the Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council, and the Cabinet Member for Education regarding its reconstruction, the reality is that the school will now become a relic of the past, leaving children to seek education in neighbouring schools.

“A recent letter from the school owners’ solicitors to the council indicates that there is an intention to ensure the council rebuild the school to at least its pre-fire condition, which effectively means constructing a new facility.

“It is troubling that the aforementioned councillors appear willing to support the establishment of a new school that may ultimately remain unused while the Church deliberates its future.

“Furthermore, the expressions of sympathy from Councillors Tess Hodgson Leader and Jacob Williams Cabinet Member towards the dedicated efforts of Councillor Phil Kidney, who has advocated for the school's continued operation, seem disingenuous, especially considering their prior votes to close it, highlighting a classic instance of NIMBYism.

“It’s interesting to note the 'new' joint cabinet members Sam Skyrme Blackhall and Aaron Carey voted against closure at the last vote, pre-promotion days, yet it would appear the acceptance of the King’s shilling now comes at a price!” he added.