"Last week Pembrokeshire Council voted by the narrowest of margins to sign an agreement with Pembrokeshire College which will have a profound effect on the provision of A-Levels in the county's secondary schools," writes Cllr Paul Miller.

"I voted against that decision and I wanted to share my reasons why.

"Firstly, whether by accident or design, this agreement will, I believe, close school sixth forms across Pembrokeshire and the main thrust of the argument for change appears to be about money.

"The target figure, set out in this agreement with the college, for a 'viable' A-Level course is 18 pupils to a class. Currently Milford Haven offer one such ‘viable’ A-Level course, Pembroke two and Greenhill three.

"To maintain a reasonable suite of A-Levels at each of those schools would require less than £120,000 a year - a relatively small sum compared to the annual council budget of £200+ million. Remembering that the previous administration had agreed to find £800,000 in revenue and £5million in capital funding to support the failed St Davids City of Culture bid this becomes not really a question of money but of priorities.

"In the absence of that additional funding and with the agreement now signed, the days of pupils having the opportunity to study for their A-levels in Greenhill, Milford Haven and very possibly Pembroke schools are, in my option, all but over. Sixth forms might not disappear this year, maybe not even next but I’m in no doubt that they will go! That means pupils travelling and a loss of choice.

"Secondly, surely the will of the people and specifically pupils and their parents should count for something. I've known all along that council officers together with the previous administration had a plan for A-Levels in Pembrokeshire. They had one as early as 2012 and it hasn't changed much since. That plan, was to provide two centres for post 16 study, one at Pembrokeshire college and the other in Pembroke School. What we have now is exactly the same plan, save that we've swapped Pembroke as a key centre in favour of a new 11-19 school in Haverfordwest. I don’t think that’s what people fought for.

"It means pupils in most of Pembrokeshire's schools no longer having the choice to stay on at school to study A-Levels but having to travel, in some cases long distances, to the college. They won’t be able to choose the new 11—19 school in Haverfordwest either because a maximum capacity, set out in this agreement, of 36% of the year 11 age group from the school, virtually guarantees there's no spare capacity for anyone from outside of the school catchment. It also happily makes sure that no-one from St Davids or Fishguard could chose to study there either. Considering a large part of the campaign on schools was about choice, it doesn’t feel like we’ve won much.

"On top of that, the number and type of ‘A’ levels taught in all schools (including Haverfordwest) will be controlled by an 11-member ‘A’ level committee made up of representatives from Pembrokeshire College (4), Council officers (2); the heads and chairs of governors of St Davids and Fishguard (4 total); and a single elected member. Interestingly, though, there is no-one representing schools in Pembroke, Tenby, Milford Haven or even Haverfordwest which are likely to be most affected by these new arrangements.

"Last week your elected Councillors voted to end A-level provision outside of Haverfordwest (and just maybe in Pembroke too). You can see who voted for and against the changes at www.paulmillerpembrokeshire.com/schoolsvote.

"I for one think last week's vote was a very sad development for Pembrokeshire."