REASONS given by the SOC for rejecting plans to close Prestwich Arts College (PAC) and expand Parrenthorn.

Three of the five groups voted against: 1) The Roman Catholic group: i) On Prestwich, it said: "The authority have made a strong case again for the removal of places: however, the possible failure to close Broad Oak requires a reconsideration for the whole of the Bury area."

ii) On Parrenthorn: "The enlargement of Parrenthorn is not required in view of our decision on the proposal to discontinue PAC."

2) The Church of England group: i) On Prestwich: "The removal of PAC must necessarily leave significant numbers of Bury children in Prestwich with no Prestwich school to take them, unless catchment areas are redrawn. There must therefore be a loss of parental choice.

"Children who would in 2006 expect to attend PAC from outside Bury would certainly suffer in their education as a result of this closure.

"The problem of surplus places is most acute in the north of the borough, not in Prestwich. The local authority needs to think again."

ii) On Parrenthorn: "We are not convinced that funding is properly in place at an adequate level to fund this expansion. The successful bid for Targeted Capital Funding made no mention of further expansion.

"As a linked proposal, we feel that this should fall with the PAC proposal."

3) The Schools group: i) On Prestwich: "Presumption of closure is flawed. Projected numbers do not show significant surplus. PAC is successful and popular. Insufficient provision for remaining students."

ii) On Parrenthorn: "Linked to PAC decision."

Two groups abstained: the Learning and Skills Council and the local authority.