Over the last six months I have been banging away (as have others) about Powys failure to comply with a range of legal obligations in relation to the decision to close Gwernyfed High School. Each time they have tried to bypass their obligations but they were brought to a standstill when a judicial review was submitted. However, they tried again to get around their legal obligations but in September even their own legal advisor told them to back track and so a new dialogue was opened between the LA and school.However, Powys then went on to say they did not need to follow the Schools Statutory Organisation Code to carryout a community impact assessment to asssess the effects of closure on the 34 community organisations involved with the school. But when a number of us again intervened with detailed information demonstrating how the LA was trying to circumvent its legal obligation they stepped back from their foolish course. What it demonstrates is that the authority, because it has never complied with legal obligations over school closures, they a) have no idea what those obligations are and b) no idea how to implement them and c) no idea how to relate to communities. In stepping back over community impact assessments they have now arranged a meeting on 16 December at 7pm at Gwernyfed for a discussion with community organisations. Because the LA has little understanding of what they are trying to do the meeting is likely to be chaotic but it is important that anyone who has a concern about the effects of closure on our communities and organisations it is an opportunity to try and ram home the message of the damage that will occur if we lose our secondary school. In addition whilst the closure plan has been "paused" it is still on the table. It may be our only chance to get the commuity message across. I am asking you therefore for your support for one more big "heave" to try to push POWYS CC into a sensible decision. JOHN FITZGERALD