How not to count...

Many were wearing t-shirts that said "Save our Schools" on the front and "FRANKLY Mr FIELD you don't give a damn" on the back.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field had been unable to make it to the meeting, but a statement was read out in which he reiterated his support the academies plan and said although Birkenhead schools had improved their standards were still at a disappointing level. Many of the public jeered these comments.

The meeting had heard from numerous witnesses - I hadn't heard everyone because I was also covering the audit committee meeting downstairs about social services and was dashing between the two.

But it was the conclusion of the meeting which descended into chaotic scenes.

Essentially, the Conservatives had put forward a motion - which caught the mood of the Ridgeway supporters - calling on the cabinet to think again about the consultation on the academies AND definitely not close Ridgeway.

A Labour and Lib-Dem motion also called on cabinet to re-think the plans, but leaving pretty much all options open.

Somehow, when the councillors came to vote on it, the counting went awry. This is the bit where, despite watching it with total concentration, I missed how it all went wrong. In fact, judging by the surprise on the faces off all concerned, everyone missed it.

You wouldn't think it would be that hard, but Cllr Adrian Jones (Lab) later told me he had been told he didn't put his hand high enough.

Cllr Tom Harney (Lib-Dem) voted in favour of both motions, which although perfectly acceptable within the rules and procedures, seemed to add to the confusion.

There were furious scenes as some councillors demanded the vote be held again, but chair Cllr Sheila Clarke (Con) refused saying she had been told the numbers voting on each motion and had used her casting vote to see the Tory motion carried.

A scrum of Labour councillors developed around the table where Cllr Clarke was sat, flanked by the two council officers, while some parents were loudly voicing the opinion that the vote be accepted and accused the Labour and Lib-Dems of being bad losers, and some of the Ridgeway students stood around looking bemused by the scenes being played out in front of them.

Afterwards, Cllr Phil Davies - the cabinet member responsible for education - was among those holding what looked to be fairly intense discussions with council officers until I interrupted and asked them what they were going to do now.

He said he was hoping another meeting could be called urgently to resolve the - from his point of view - miscount of the votes. He described it as a "complete and utter farce this morning and said he was seeking legal advice on what options are open to them.

However, as far as I understand it, the committee has an advisory role only and cabinet (and full council) has the executive powers - so can effectively ignore the committee's motion if it wants to...