Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 3:50pm

SAVED

by Craig Winning

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Two local schools facing closure are to gain a stunning reprieve, the Chronicle understands.

It is believed, according to a senior SNP source, that Sorn and Littlemill primaries will be saved when Cabinet meets today (Wednesday) to decide the fate of the schools estate in East Ayrshire.

Other expected announcements will be that St Xavier's Primary School in Waterside will co-locate with Patna Primary in a joint campus, but this will not happen until a major refurbishment of the Patna school is carried out.

Meanwhile, Cairnhill and Castle primaries in New Cumnock will merge in a brand new facility which will be part of a wide-scale regeneration of the village.

Revealing the decision, which is fully expected to be ratified at the time the Chronicle went to press, the source said: "This will be a good news day for East Ayrshire. The campaigners at Sorn and Littlemill have put forward constructive arguments and comments for them to remain open, and the administration has decided that they both play an important part in their respective communities.

"There has been a lack of investment in our schools from the last administration and the question has to be asked of the likes of the Labour Group and Cathy Jamieson if there was any agenda to tackle this.

"There is still a need to address the previous lack of investment and the schools issue, but we think this has been a worthwhile exercise and it is good news for local communities.

"We went into this consultation with a blank canvas and throughout have listened to what people have had to say.

"We've taken a lot of points on board and at the end of the day there is something for everyone in what will be presented. Now we can move on."

Under the plans, which were put out for consultation earlier by the ruling administration, Sorn and Littlemill could have been closed, with pupils moved to Mauchline and Drongan respectively. But now they will remain open, with suggestions that the administration will look at ways of providing funding for refurbishments of both facilities.

On the issue of St Xavier's Primary, which is bound to provoke anger from parents at the school, the source continued: "Some of the members have been to similar co-located facilities in West Lothian and North Lanarkshire and any conflict there has been reduced as a result. Both Patna and St Xavier's will retain their own identities, but suggestions previously offered that there will be segregation by way of fencing and barriers is wide of the mark.

"We are in consultation with the Diocese of Galloway and parents to decide the best way forward, but it must be stressed that pupils at St Xavier's will remain where they are until the refurbishment works at Patna are completed."