(1)Following a review of a closure proposal under section 17B(1), the School Closure Review Panel may—
(a)refuse to consent to the proposal,
(b)refuse to consent to the proposal and remit it to the education authority for a fresh decision as to implementation,
(c)grant consent to the proposal—
(i)subject to conditions, or
(ii)unconditionally.
(2)The Panel must give reasons for its decision.
(3)Where the Panel remits the proposal to the education authority under subsection (1)(b), the Panel may specify any steps in the process provided for in sections 1 to 11 and (in relation to a closure proposal as respects a rural school) 12A that the authority must take again in relation to the proposal before making a fresh decision.
(4)The Panel may refuse to consent to the proposal under subsection (1)(a) or (b) only if the Panel finds either or both of the following—
(a)that the education authority has failed in a significant regard to comply with the requirements imposed on it by (or under) this Act so far as they are relevant in relation to the proposal,
(b)that the authority has failed to take proper account of a material consideration relevant to its decision to implement the proposal.
(5)The Panel must notify the education authority of its decision within the period of 8 weeks beginning with the day on which the Panel is constituted unless (before the end of that period) the Panel issues a notice to the education authority—
(a)stating that the Panel does not intend to notify the decision within that period,
(b)specifying the reason why that is so, and
(c)indicating the likely date for notifying the decision.
(6)Where the Panel issues a notice under subsection (5), it must notify the education authority of its decision within the period of 16 weeks beginning with the day on which the Panel is constituted.
(7)After the Panel notifies the education authority of its decision, the Panel must—
(a)notify the Scottish Ministers of the decision, and
(b)publish notice of the decision in such manner as it considers appropriate.
(8)Where the Panel grants consent to the proposal subject to conditions, the education authority must comply with the conditions.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 17A-17D inserted (1.8.2014 for the purposes of commencing s. 17B(3) and so far as necessary to enable Scottish Ministers to make regulations under s. 17B(5); 6.10.2014 for the purpose of bringing into force s. 17A(6) for specified purposes; 9.1.2015 for the purpose of bringing into force s. 17A(6) in so far as not already in force, and 30.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 8), ss. 81(4), 102(3); S.S.I. 2014/165, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 6); S.S.I. 2014/251, art. 2(a); S.S.I. 2014/365, art. 2(a); S.S.I. 2015/104, art. 2