AFTER a long consultation process and much debate, Torfaen councillors took the final vote on the controversial primary school review programme yesterday.

The cabinet voted in favour of education chief Mike De Val's recommendation to close Ponthir VC primary school and Abersychan's Pentwyn primary school to combat a surplus of places in the primary sector.

But Brookfield primary school campaigners were given a boost when the cabinet decided to defer the decision on that school's future until August for more discussion.

The education department was impressed by alternative proposals put forward by campaigners and wants to look at the feasibility of their options.

Torfaen council embarked on the controversial closure programme after a review revealed that by 2008, one-in-four primary desks would be empty in Torfaen.

At a series of highly charged and emotional meetings which continued until 6pm yesterday, all sides in the debate were given a chance to put their arguments across.

Before the cabinet vote, Mr De Val said: "We have to take this step in order to deliver the right curriculum for our pupils. This is not simply a negative, it is about disinvesting to reinvest."

Only two cabinet members spoke out and voted against the proposals and the motion was carried 8-2.

Following the vote, campaigners for the three schools were invited to put their case to the full council.

Torfaen council's chief executive Alison Ward said: "This is important because we have been through a rigorous and long consultation period. I have been immensely impressed at the professionalism and passion in the cases put forward."

Strong arguments put forward by the three campaign groups led to challenges by a number of councillors.

Councillor Joyce Gregory asked the cabinet to reconsider its vote to close Pentwyn school, councillor Stuart Evans asked the cabinet to reconsider its vote to close Ponthir school and councillor Brenda Edwards asked that the cabinet defer decisions on all three schools, but all motions were defeated.

The final decision on the closure of the two schools now rests with Assembly education minister Jane Davidson. If she agrees with Torfaen council, Pentwyn and Ponthir schools will close in July next year.