Glen Family Centre closure decision: letter to East Renfrewshire Council
Letter from Learning Directorate to East Renfrewshire Council, with decision to close Glen Family Centre.
To: Mark Ratter, Director of Education, East Renfrewshire Council
From: Orlando Mason, Deputy Director, Workforce, Infrastructure and Digital Learning Directorate
11 February 2026
Dear Mark,
Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010: East Renfrewshire Council – Glen Family Centre
I refer to Joe McCaig’s email of 18 December 2025 notifying Scottish Ministers of East Renfrewshire Council’s decision of 18 December 2025 to implement the proposal to close Glen Family Centre. Ministers have considered this proposal in line with the requirements set out in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”).
Under section 17 of the 2010 Act, Ministers may only issue a call-in notice if it appears to them that the education authority may have failed:
(a) in a significant regard to comply with the requirements imposed on it by (or under) the Act so far as they are relevant in relation to the closure proposal, or
(b) to take proper account of a material consideration relevant to its decision to implement the proposal.
Section 15(2) of the 2010 Act requires an education authority to provide a copy of the proposal paper and the consultation report prepared under the Act to Ministers when notifying them of a closure proposal.
Section 15(4) of the 2010 Act requires Ministers to take into account any relevant representations made to them by any person during the three week period from the date that a closure decision is made. In relation to this closure proposal, the three week period began on 18 December 2025 and expired on 11 February 2026. One representation was received.
Having reviewed the documents provided by East Renfrewshire Council under section 15(2) and considered all relevant representations made under section 15(4), Ministers consider that East Renfrewshire Council has fulfilled its obligations under the 2010 Act and do not intend to issue a call-in notice for this proposal.
East Renfrewshire Council may now implement its decision to close Glen Family Centre in line with the timescales set out in its consultation report. As noted in HMIe’s report on the proposal, East Renfrewshire Council should continue with plans to fully engage with senior leaders and staff from both settings to ensure that the quality of experience of all children is not negatively impacted. HMIe advise this should include children, families and staff being involved in planning for the necessary adaptations and ensuring transitions for everyone are well supported. Scottish Ministers note that East Renfrewshire Council intends to increase provision for 2-3 year olds in the east of the authority, subject to options appraisal following Ministers’ decision. It will be important that children, families and staff are fully engaged as part of the Council’s future planning and discussions.
Yours sincerely
Orlando Mason
Deputy Director, Workforce, Infrastructure and Digital Learning Directorate
