THE public in North Yorkshire are to be given a chance to have their say as education chiefs try to balance policies for the future with the likely demand for school places.

Population counts across the county's towns and villages will rise and fall in coming years, but the local authority still has the task of tailoring its facilities to meet the community's needs up to the year 2007.

As a result, bosses have already drawn up a blueprint for the future - but are hoping for feedback from the public before anything is set in stone.

"Where there are spare places in primary schools, the education authority is encouraging schools to look creatively at community use and, in particular, at working with others to provide child care and out-of-school activities to make use of that space," said North Yorkshire county council education spokesman, Councillor Chris Metcalfe.

"We will also be working with the Learning and Skills Council based in York to establish a joint approach to a review of all post-16 provision in the county - in schools and colleges of further education."

However, Councillor Metcalfe emphasised the authority wants people across North Yorkshire to study its proposals and give their own views on priorities.

For example, the county authority is hoping to build a school to replace cramped conditions at Middleton Tyas with an additional school also planned at Brompton-on-Swale where pupil numbers have also grown since new housing has been built in the area.

"It is important parents in particular say what they want while they have the opportunity to be heard,'' said Councillor Jim Fryer, who represents Brompton-on-Swale on Richmondshire District Council.

"It is difficult to say if a new school would be a good thing or not at the moment as not all the housing we're are expecting in the area has been built, but that shouldn't mean people miss a chance to be consulted," he said.

More details of the county's council's draft Schools Organisation Plan can be found online at www.northyorks.gov.uk.

Copies are on show in the education offices in Harrogate, Skipton, Selby and Scarborough. Consultation closes on Monday, July 8.