A COUNCILLOR criticised over plans to close eight schools in Monmouthshire has quit his cabinet education post.

Rob Griffiths, (pictured) who was responsible for education and lifelong learning, will stay in the county council cabinet, but will no longer head up the education department. Instead, he exchanges roles with deputy council leader Mike Smith, who ran best value, community planning and e-government.

As previously reported, Councillor Griffiths is subject to an investigation by the Ombudsman, following a complaint over alleged conflict in his roles as a governor of Llwynu and St Davids schools, and his cabinet position. He and his his family also came in for strong verbal attacks by some campaigners enraged by plans in the council's education review to close eight primary schools.

But council leader David Waring yesterday stressed Councillor Griffiths was not leaving because of the criticism and pressure he had faced from parents - many of whom are furious about the council's plan to close schools that are performing well. He told the Argus that Councillor Griffiths, who took the post in July 2002, had done a sterling job and it was time for him to try a new role.

He added: "It has been my intention for some time that cabinet members should have the opportunity to broaden their experience."

He said public consultation on the Abergavenny schools proposals ended on Monday, and now was a good time for Councillor Griffiths to leave the post. "He's done an extremely good job and it was felt because of all that work it was time for a change.

"Mr Smith has had his finger on the pulse in this issue and he's not going into it with no knowledge."

Councillor Griffiths declin-ed to comment on the reshuffle. Norma Watkins, of action group Save Monmouthshire and Abergavenny Schools (SMASCH), said she would never support personal attacks on Councillor Griffiths. But she added: "We are pleased he is leaving the post, as he was never approachable. He never seemed the right person for it.

"You would need to be Goliath to stand up in front of all those parents at the public meetings.

"But it's not the personality, it's the policy that we object to."