THE first phase of consultations on plans to overhaul primary education is under way.

Sunderland City Council announced the plans as part of a rolling programme to eliminate surplus places.

It is putting forward a range of options for schools in Sunderland north, Sunderland west and Washington, including amalgamations, closures and reducing capacity by using buildings for other purposes.

The council hopes the moves will result in the loss of 3,572 places, helping it to comply with Government and Audit Commission targets.

Now, after the cabinet endorsed the proposals, the first round of consultations involving staff, parents, governors and residents, has begun.

The options will be refined to take their views into account, then people will have another chance to comment.

In June, the cabinet will meet to discuss the proposals again, and there will be a final round of consultations before the independent school organisation committee makes its decisions. The changes will be implemented from September 2004.

A key element of the reorganisation will be the creation of an "extended school", incorporating community services such as health, sports and the police, in each of the three areas.

It will be followed by further cuts in primary school places.