“THIS could be our last chance saloon.”

These are the words of Basingstoke Central division Hampshire County Councillor, Councillor Mike Westbrook after making the decision to call in the verdict to close Fort Hill Community School.

As previously reported in The Gazette, executive member for education at Hampshire County Council Councillor Peter Edgar made the decision to close the secondary school at his decision day meeting on June 19.

However, Cllr Westbrook believes more clarity needs to be had as to why the decision was made.

He said: “The county council usually has a very strong process of scrutiny around decisions.

“However, there seemed to be a lot going on when the consultation for Fort Hill was happening.

“We had two elections in the middle of it, so parents feel they were not being listened to.

“I think it should be clear for all involved as to why the decision was made, and I want parents to know that we did all we possibly could to keep the school open, so this could be our last chance saloon."

Winklebury ward councillor Cllr Angie Freeman, who has led the Save Fort Hill campaign, said she would fight this decision as much as she could.

“This is about the last thing that we can do before it has to go through a judicial review, if we wanted to go in that direction,” Cllr Freeman told The Gazette.

“We have to keep hoping because otherwise we just give up and that is not fair on the students of the school.”

However, Cllr Robert Taylor, Basingstoke North West division councillor at the county council, said despite understanding parents’ frustrations he could not agree with the decision to call the verdict in.

He added: “I have seen the officers report and I happen to agree with the proposal.

“I understand the feeling of frustration of parents and that they have strong opinions on the matter, but I believe the county council have taken an opportunity here to make that decision and there is reason behind that.”

The meeting will be held on July 10 at 10am.