GARTOCHARN Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) will come under the management of Gartocharn Primary School in 2017.

The decision to approve the proposal was met with opposition from councillors at a recent Education Services Committee but was carried by 13 votes to four meaning that the changes could be made as early as January 2017.

Independent councillor George Black and SNP councillors Johnathan McColl, Ian Murray and William Hendrie voted to defer the decision to a meeting in June 2017 as they believed they were "still a large number of unanswered questions" and "no evidence that the proposed model of management of ELCCS will be beneficial to the pupils' education."

Similar changes were made at Linnvale and Lennox Primary Schools and are, according to chief education officer Laura Mason, "doing well".

Councillor Murray said: "We don't have any evidence. What we're asking for is to revise the model, look at how Linnvale and Lennox are doing and then use that evidence to take it forward."

Councillor Martin Rooney moved to approve the proposal saying: "There is no doubt about the educational benefits here. I am genuinely disappointed you are putting this forward.

"This is opposition for opposition's sake. As far as I'm concerned the evidence from Education Scotland and everywhere else demonstrate the value.

"I would like everybody to support this decision and support decisions like it. It will be letting a lot of people down to start playing games with things like this."

Consultations were carried out with staff at the school and parents at public information meetings as well as an online consultation.

Most responses were positive apart from the online questionnaire to which 87.88 per cent of respondents said they did not agree with the proposals. However, it was noted that the response rate was low and that 60.61 per cent of respondents were neither a parent, pupil or staff member.

Education Scotland carried out a report to asses the educational aspects of the proposal and summarised that: "Overall, West Dunbartonshire Council's proposal to place the management of Gartocharn Early Learning and Childcare Centre under the headteacher of Gartocharn Primary School id of educational benefit in terms of continuity and progression for children's learning."

It added: "If implemented, the proposal will increase children's access to a teacher and, importantly, continue to improve and enrich the quality of transitions for children and their families."

The move was approved by the Educational Services Committee following a six-week consultation with parents, carers, staff, pupils and the wider community.