Today parents in the Forest of Dean received notification of the cancellation to the planned meeting on the controversial closures of two special schools: Dean Hall and Oakdene.

The Schools Organisation Committee were forced to reconsider the December 12 date because of so many errors in the County Council's Democratic Department.

The Department had an unprecedented amount of complaints by angry parents unable to attend because of the bad timing coinciding with both school's Christmas plays. Many complained that the timing of 2pm was also inconsiderate as the meeting is held in Gloucester and they would not be able to return to meet their children from school.

Complaints were also received from all the political party representatives echoing the sight of cross party support at the demonstration last month. The council will now rethink their date to one in January.

Is this a taste of what is to come as the Local Education Authority carry on regardless of public opinion?

We need proper democratic services thinking about what it is like for parents living over 25 miles away to attend such meetings while making provision for their special children at the busiest time of year.

Then again we could have a totally independent committee to decide on this away from the council's flunkies?

Please continue to lobby those in power for better and fairer treatment of vulnerable parents as well as vulnerable children. – Pauline Mulford, 'People Like Us,' Virginia House, Old Road, Coalway, nr Coleford.