A Whitby Councillor says the proposal to close Eskdale school because of falling pupil numbers in the town, highlights a much bigger problem.
The school's governing body is asking the county council to approve a consultation on the closure which would mean Eskdale pupils moving to the Caedmon College site from September.
They say falling pupil numbers mean they can't afford to run two sites in the town.
County Councillor Trumper says that highlights a bigger problem.
The Whitby Secondary Partnership which runs Eskdale School, Caedmon College and Whitby Sixth Form, say the reasons for the closure proposal are three linked factors:
"low pupil numbers, significant financial challenges at both schools and an imperative to give the best education and curriculum to the young people of Whitby."
The Whitby Secondary Partnership have asked North Yorkshire County Council to carry out a consultation on the proposed changes, the council will discuss the request for a consultation at a meeting on February 7th.
Councillor Trumper says the falling numbers of secondary school age children in Whitby show how the town is failing to attract families.
Councillor Trumper has welcomed the town councils ambition to create a "neighbourhood plan" for the town which could provide an opportunity to control how many second homes or holiday let properties there are in the area or could introduce measures to ensure more affordable housing is made accessible to local people.
Whitby Town Council's draft budget states that £15,000 should be allocated to the creation of a neighbourhood plan, while an income of £10,000 is also envisaged for the plan, most likely from Government support.
Scarborough Borough Council has said that the creation of a neighbourhood plan for Whitby – which would increase local decision-making on issues such as planning – will require a referendum if the plan passes legal and policy requirements.
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