PARENTS have been left in limbo after consultations on the future of three Dales schools have been postponed.

It was revealed the BAWB federation of schools (Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton) were facing a financial shortfall of up to £95,000 by March and, as such, some sites may have to close.

However, Government announcements regarding the National Funding Formula for Schools has implications for funding in North Yorkshire for 2018-19 and beyond.

Until these are better understood, officers from North Yorkshire County Council say it would be difficult to predict the impact on the BAWB schools and agreed to postpone the meetings on October 4.

Derek Walpole, chairman of governors, said: “Indications are that we will see some rise in income, but how much and when is unclear.

“In that context we feel it would be inappropriate to ask people to express opinion on potentially incomplete information and therefore have accepted the advice of NYCC.

“We remain committed to engaging and hearing views in the way we had set out and emphasise this is a postponement and not a cancellation.’’

West Burton CE Primary joined the federation with a financial surplus in the hope of maintaining a secure financial future.

However, this has not transpired and parents at the primary claim the move has disadvantaged its pupils.

Two options involve consolidating the sites by closing either one or two of the schools.

If two were closed, only Askrigg CE Primary School would remain.

A third proposal involves maintaining all three schools and sharing resources by transporting pupils between the sites according to the school timetable.

Patrick Mulligan, the council's executive member for schools, said: “I fully understand the reasons for this (the postponement) and agree it is important that the community has the most complete and accurate information available.

“I am reassured that the federation remains committed to engaging with the community at the appropriate time.’’