The North Tyneside Council Conservative group has submitted a motion calling on the council to reverse its decision to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre in Cumbria. The motion, to be considered at the next full council meeting, demands a pause and reversal of the closure, a full review of alternative options, publication of the options considered before the decision, engagement with residents and schools, and an internal inquiry into the decision-making process.
The council announced last week that the centre, owned since 1967, would close in November due to declining school trips and a multi-million-pound maintenance bill. However, the decision has sparked strong opposition from the public and politicians. A petition to save the centre has garnered over 1,670 signatures, and if it reaches 2,000 valid names, it could trigger a debate at a full council meeting.
Conservative Motion Details
The motion includes five key demands: pause and reverse the closure; conduct a full review of all options, including partnerships, external funding, charitable arrangements, and working with schools and other organisations; publish details of the options considered before the decision; engage with residents, schools, former users, and outdoor education organisations to find a sustainable future; and hold an internal inquiry into the process and scrutiny arrangements, reporting findings to full council.
The council has previously stated that the decision was based on a detailed review of usage, costs, and long-term sustainability. The report on the closure was treated as exempt from public view due to sensitive information and staff details. Officers were on site to support staff after the decision.
Council's Justification and Financial Pressures
High Borrans is a non-statutory, contracted service, meaning schools choose whether to use it. In recent years, fewer than half of North Tyneside schools have used the centre, with only 1,255 pupils from Years 5 to 8 attending out of a potential cohort of 9,300. The council argues the centre is no longer financially viable and that children still have access to outdoor education through other providers.
Rebecca Wall, director of children's services at North Tyneside Council, said: "The Council has taken the difficult decision to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre following a detailed review of its usage, costs and long-term sustainability. We know how valued the centre is and the important role it has played for many years. However, like councils across the country, we are facing significant financial pressures. The level of investment required to maintain and modernise the centre, alongside the ongoing subsidy needed to support each visit, means it is no longer financially viable."
Community Reaction and Next Steps
The closure has prompted an outpouring of support for the centre, with Chronicle readers sharing formative experiences and hundreds commenting against the decision. The petition on the council's website continues to collect signatures. The full council meeting will determine whether the motion is successful and whether the closure can be reversed.
