The council's education committee meets next week at a special session to allow ongoing discussion about the future of schools in the west and south west to continue.

Since the council announced last November that they would have to examine schools in the west and south west of the city to address building issues and also the changing school rolls in the area, the Education Convener Ian Perry and Vice-Convener Alison Dickie have attended almost 30 meetings with parents. And they say they are still listening, and will take into account all comments made until the schools consultation ends on 29 April.

Some parents have already indicated that they will make deputations to the special meeting next week which is now expected to last all day.

Council officers have now drafted various possible outcomes, and these are available in detail on the council website.

After next week's meeting the council will then take a decision in May as to future plans for all schools across Edinburgh which will be submitted to The Scottish Government. These will include submissions for schools in other areas of Edinburgh such as Trinity, Craigmillar and Liberton. It is likely that the government will announce funding for schools after the summer.

Even if the whole process is completed by the end of this year it is likely that it will take about four years for any new school will only be built.

We spoke to Education Convener Ian Perry about the need for such changes.