A GROUP of councillors last night failed in their efforts to have a Gwent council reconsider its plans for primary education.

Nine Torfaen councillors had called a special meeting challenging their cabinet's decision to consult on the future of three primary schools in the borough.

Before the overview and scrutiny committee meeting, dozens of parents and pupils from closure-threatened Brookfield Primary, Cwmbran, Pentwyn Primary, Abersychan, and Ponthir Primary protested noisily outside Pontypool Civic Centre.

The public gallery of the council chamber was packed and a second room was filled with campaigners who watched proceedings via a video link.

Almost all of the 29 councillors spoke on the issue during the heated four-hour meeting.

Councillor Mike Davies said all schools should be considered separately.

"Bundling them together like this is shameful," he said.

"Each school has individual needs and individual circumstances. We should be reluctant to close schools. Sometimes it pays to keep schools that may be costing the borough money."

Councillor Ken Clarke agreed, and said: "We should find money where we can to keep schools open."

Councillor Tom Huish said: "Pentwyn and Ponthir schools are the hearts and souls of their village communities. I have grave reservations that the alternatives are not in the best interests of the children."

But Mike De Val, Torfaen's director of education, said there are 2,500 surplus places in Torfaen's primary sector, meaning one in four desks are empty.

He said each place costs the council £204, a total of £500,000.

He said: "We will only be reducing surplus places from 26% to 17% if we go through with this. It's only a step in the right direction. If we can't win this argument on educational grounds then frankly I don't want to win."

Councillor Mike Gough backed the plans.

He said: "I don't think there's anyone here who doesn't feel some discomfort.

"But money doesn't grow on trees and resources are scarce. We are not here to fund sentiment and emotion. We can't spend scarce resources on empty places."

A motion to make the cabinet reconsider its plans was defeated by 19 votes to 10. After the meeting, campaigners for each school said they would step up their fight.

What do you think? Write to The Editor, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN or email newsdesk@ gwent-wales.co.uk