SEVERAL complaints were lodged with a local government watchdog over Monmouthshire's school closure programme.

The Argus revealed yesterday that the Ombudsman was investigating a complaint over the closure programme.

But that is only one of a number that have been made.

Governors and parents at both the Abergavenny infant schools issued with closure notices have complained about Monmouthshire county council's consultation process.

The council has been consulting with parents, staff, governors and members of the public since their strategic review of primary education was first announced.

The complaint being investigated centres around Councillor Peter Fox's role.

Complaints were also made about his successor, Councillor Rob Griffiths.

At a public meeting in Park Street Infants School Councillor Griffiths was asked whether he should be chairing the meeting when he is chairman of governors at Llwynu Infants School where the new 420-place primary school is planned.

He was asked similar questions at the last consultation meeting held at Croesonen Infants School - the second infant school threatened with closure.

Some Croesonen parents and governors have asked the Ombudsman to investigate the process, and Park Street governors have been told the Ombudsman is investigating their complaint about Councillor Peter Fox's impartiality as chairman of the scrutiny committee when he spearheaded the strategic review earlier this year.

The campaign to save the nine schools in Monmouthshire threatened with closure, called SMASCH (Save Monmouthshire and Abergavenny Schools), was launched at a public meeting in Abergavenny on Wednes-day night.

Yesterday Phil Cooke, Monmouthshire's director of lifelong learning, said: "We are still receiving views from people who support the plans, and from those who don't as well as questions from those not really sure.

"Whatever responses come in will be forwarded to the chief executive Elizabeth Raikes, and then passed on to the National Assembly, together with any responses to the issues raised."

He said people have until January 6 to send in any views and then the council has one month to respond to them before all the papers are sent to the Assembly for education minister Jane Davidson to make the final decision.