EDUCATION officials are to consult on plans to 'consolidate' two education support centres in Hitchin and Letchworth onto a single site in the latter.

The centres – which support pupils from mainstream secondary schools who have been excluded or who are 'at risk of exclusion' – are currently located on separate sites, in Hitchin and in Letchworth.

But now officials have drawn up plans to replace them with a single purpose-built centre, on Briar Patch Lane, Letchworth.

And on Monday (September 20) a meeting of the county council's cabinet agreed that the proposals should be subject to public consultation.

Presenting the recommendation, executive member for education, libraries and lifelong learning Cllr Terry Douris said this was a "positive" item.

He said staff currently had to travel between the two sites, which had an impact on the environment and the time available to staff.

And he said the proposals would increase the number of places available – from 33 to 40 – as well as potentially providing sufficient land to include a primary facility 'at some stage, if required, in the future'.

Also speaking at the meeting was leader of the county council Cllr Richard Roberts, who said: "We take educational support very seriously.

"I know there has been changes in that area of service in recent years and we wish this change well."

The centres currently operate as a 33-place 'pupil referral unit' for secondary age pupils who are 'at risk of exclusion' or who have been excluded from mainstream schools in north Hertfordshire.

They also provide an outreach service to primary and secondary schools in the area.

Following the decision of the cabinet, the public consultation is expected to run between September 29 and November 2 – with the results due to be presented to a further meeting of the cabinet in December.

If cabinet was then to agree to the proposals, they would still need planning permission and approval of landowners, the Letchworth Heritage Trust.

According to the report to the cabinet, funding of up to £4.968m has already been allocated to the project.

However specific costs would be considered following the outcome of the consultation.

The new centre could be operational in Spring 2024, says the report.