Councillor in school holiday row

AROW has erupted after a senior councillor responsible for her authority’s education services took her children out of school during term time.

Independent councillor Joanne Collins is the executive member for education at Blaenau Gwent council, which has a policy of fining parents who withdraw children from school in such circumstances.

A council document called School Attendance: A Guide for Parents states: “Please think carefully before taking a family holiday during term time.

“In law you must ask for permission for your children to miss school.

“Blaenau Gwent have requested that headteachers do not authorise any holidays in term time.

“Parents who take a child of compulsory school age on holiday may be issued with a penalty notice.

“To help your child do well in school, you should arrange family holidays to coincide with school holidays wherever possible [and] be aware of the potential impact on your child’s education.”

Labour councillor Hedley McCarthy, who represents the same Llanhilleth ward as Cllr Collins, said: “Many people in the community are aware that Cllr Collins has taken her children out of school to go on a family holiday to Florida.

“An executive member must lead by example – otherwise it looks like one rule for her and another for everyone else.

“It sends the wrong message to parents and teachers alike.”

Leader of the Independent-led council, Councillor Nigel Daniels, said Cllr Collins’ holiday “complied fully with the policy in place for term-time absence”.

Standing by her, he said it is “very disappointing that someone is attempting to make political capital out of something like this” when the council is dealing with “far more important issues”.

Blaenau Gwent council said it is the headteacher’s decision to allow parents to take their children out of school in term time.

Cllr Collins and declined to comment.

Cllr Daniels