Parents have hit out after Falkirk Council has delayed the publication of a report on the proposed closure of its specialist centres for pupils with additional support needs (ASN).

The local authority had been expected to publish the report on Thursday, January 29, however it emerged hours before the publication date that it was delayed and would now be published during the week commencing February 9.

The news has been met with disappointment by parents who have been campaigning against the proposed changes to the council’s ASN provision – and they have raised concerns over how details of the change in date have been communicated.

They say they were only made aware of the change following an article on a local radio station, and then some hours later on Wednesday, January 28, Falkirk Council updated the consultation pages on its Participate+ website.

Parents have been protesting against proposals for Enhanced Provision in Falkirk schools.

placeholder image — Parents have been protesting against proposals for Enhanced Provision in Falkirk schools.

As a result they have contacted councillors and council leadership to express concerns about how the change in timetable was communicated.

As well as the consultation report, other documents to be published at the same time will be an Equality and Poverty Impact Assessment (EPIA), a Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) and Education Scotland’s Report.

And according to the council’s update on its Participate+ website, the proposal will now not be considered by the council’s Executive on February 19, 2026 and will instead be reported at its meeting on Thursday, April 23.

In its update online, Falkirk Council says the previous dates shown were “indicative” and that “due to the volume and detail of responses received during the consultation, additional time is required to ensure that all representatives are full considered and accurately reflected in the consultation report”.

Parents and campaigners against the changes to the enhanced provision in the area’s schools voiced their concerns last year when Falkirk Council launched a consultation on its proposals to close 15 enhanced provision (EP) classes in primary schools and redistribute resources across all 47 of Falkirk’s primaries.

A post on the ‘Action Against Falkirk Council Enhanced Provision Proposals’ Facebook page which was set up following the consultation’s launch said what was important to note was how the information on the chance to the timeline was shared.

It stated: “Parents were not notified directly by the Council. There was no email or alert to stakeholders.

"Families first became aware of the change via Central FM, following a direct quote from a council official. The Participate+ page was then updated after hours, on the day before the report was originally due to be published.

“Understandably, this has caused frustration. Families were working to clearly stated timelines, and last-minute changes of this significance should be communicated openly and directly.”

It added that what it was important to be clear about was that “no decision has been taken”, “the consultation process is still ongoing” and “there is now more time before any final decision”.

The group said it has contacted elected members and leadership asking for “urgent clarification, improved transparency and formal scrutiny of how this consultation has been handled”.

Campaigners have planned a peaceful presence outside Grangemouth Education Centre ahead of the council’s Executive meeting on Thursday, February 19 and they have said that this will still go ahead despite discussion of the proposals being moved to the committee’s April meeting.

Their post added: “This remains an important opportunity for families to be visible and to show the strength of feeling around these proposals.”

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “The consultation on Enhanced Provision has now closed and the statutory Consultation Report and required impact assessments are now being prepared.

“The dates originally published for this stage of the process were indicative.

“However, due to the high volume of detailed responses received additional time was needed to ensure all representations were fully and accurately reflected. Committee papers must also be prepared several weeks in advance and therefore the next appropriate Executive meeting is April 23, 2026.

“The Consultation Report and associated assessments will be published during the week beginning February 9, 2026. At this point, no decisions have been made regarding the future model of enhanced provision.

“The conclusions of the Consultation Report will inform the recommendations brought forward to Elected Members and will be available in advance of the publication of the committee report.”