OPPOSITION councillors will make a final push to have the Lyndale School saved when they meet with Wirral Council chiefs tonight.

Wirral's Conservative Group will call on the authority's ruling Labour cabinet to bring an end to the “anguish and uncertainty” placed on pupils and parents of the much-loved special needs school.

They have put forward both an overall budget and schools budget amendment ahead of tonight’s budget council meeting.

One of the key points of the Tory amendment relates to the Lyndale School, in Eastham, which is set to close in August 2016.

It calls on cabinet to issue a revocation notice to consult on proposals to stop all current and planned action being taken to close Lyndale.

The amendment, which will be proposed by Tory leader Cllr Jeff Green, says: “Council recognises the unique and caring environment provided by the Lyndale School to children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

“Council acknowledges the value of this facility and affirms its belief that such provision should remain at the Lyndale School.”

Cllr Green – who previously described closing Lyndale as “an act of educational vandalism – hoped the amendment will be agreed by full council, which meets on Tuesday at 6.15pm.

The amendment adds that council “recognises that the Lyndale School should remain open and bring to an end the anguish and uncertainty that has been heaped on pupils and their parents and carers throughout this whole sorry saga”.

Should the amendment be approved, cabinet will be further requested to instruct officers to begin negotiations with the Schools Forum and other relevant stakeholders to identify and secure adequate funding to enable the school to remain open from April 1, 2016.

Wirral Council’s cabinet unanimously voted to go ahead with closing Lyndale when they met in December.

Parents had been hoping for a miracle but after 12 months of pleading with councillors to leave the school open, their hopes were dashed.

It follows more than a year of anguish for parents, who have fought tirelessly to convince councillors that the Eastham school is vital to their children’s future.

Wirral Council first announced it was “minded” to close the school in December 2014 citing a change in Government funding and falling numbers.

Lyndale will close on August 31, 2016, with pupils transferred to either Elleray Park or Stanley School.

Making his recommendation to close Lyndale, Cllr Tony Smith - cabinet member for children and family services - said it had been an extremely difficult decision.

He added: "I am as satisfied as I can be that maximum opportunity has been provided for the public and school community to make representations and raise concerns throughout the consultation.

"I want to acknowledge how this has been a difficult and uncertain time for the families of children at the Lyndale school and to recognise their time and commitment to advocating on behalf of their children."

Wirral Council meets at Wallasey Toen Hall at 6.15pm tonight, Tuesday.