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Senior councillors in Caerphilly are expected to confirm the closure of Rhydri Primary School next week.

Cabinet members will meet on Wednesday April 16 to discuss the latest objections to proposals to shut the school, in Rudry, which Caerphilly County Borough Council argues is unable to balance its budget.

It claims falling pupil numbers have fuelled a gloomy financial picture, providing a “significant challenge” to attempts to balance the books and maintain an “appropriate staffing level”.

The council also believes “reasonable alternatives” to closure have been exhausted and “deemed not viable or sustainable”.

The closure plan has proved controversial, however, among some members of the school community who believe Rhydri Primary should be given more support to remain open.

During a second round of consultation, held in January and February, critics questioned the council’s focus on falling pupil numbers and raised concerns about the toll of the proposed closure on children and staff.

Parents previously organised a campaign to attract more families to Rhydri Primary, hoping to save the school from closure.

But the council said the uptick in pupils was “not sufficient enough to bring the school out of deficit” despite the parents’ “proactive” efforts.

A new report states council HR will support staff “as required” following the cabinet’s decision next week.

If cabinet members agree to close the school, Rhydri Primary will shut down at the end of the academic year, with pupils able to transfer to the catchment area of St James Primary School, in Caerphilly.