Anger as five schools face axe

But education convener Jim Mitchell"s proposals were given a rough ride by Labour.

The plans were branded 'a shambles', a 'hotch potch' and 'insulting' by opposition politicians smarting from their party"s defeat to the Lib-Dems in the council elections a month ago.

The five primaries the Lib-Dems want to close by June 2004 are: • Holy Family Primary in Port Glasgow, with pupils transferring to St Francis"s or St Michael"s • Boglestone in Port Glasgow, with pupils transferring to Slaemuir, Highholm or Clune Park • Springfield Primary in Greenock, with pupils transferring to Larkfield Primary • St Joseph"s in Greenock with pupils transferring to Holy Cross or Sacred Heart • St Mungo"s or St Kenneth"s or St Laurence"s in Greenock The Lib Dems have ditched a plan put forward by the last council to build a new school in Grieve Road, Greenock.

Councillor Allan Robertson was first to respond after Councillor Jim Mitchell outlined his plans, which also included sacking external consultants and investigating other sources of funding, apart from PPP or not-for-profit trusts.

He told the Lib Dems: 'It sounds like a shambles to me. There is no coherent strategy.

'There is the closure of a number of schools, but you have not once mentioned what you think is best for the education of the young people of Inverclyde.' His colleague, Labour leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe added: 'Shambles is being generous.' Next to enter the fray was Councillor Iain McKenzie said: 'It"s about cramming children in. It"s an insult to the people of Inverclyde.' But Councillor Mitchell dismissed his critics arguments as 'claptrap'.

And he hit back saying that had the £2m which had been spent funding surplus places over eight years been spent on education policy then education in the area would be considerably better than it was.

The director of education Bernard McLeary will now draw up a report, formalising the Lib Dem"s proposals which will be put out to public consultation.