THE people of North Yorkshire are to be given a chance to have their say as education officers try to balance policies for the future with the likely demand for school places.

Population counts across the county's towns and villages will rise and fall in coming years, but the local authority still has the task of tailoring its facilities to meet the community's needs up to the year 2007.

Managers have already drawn up a blueprint for the future - but are hoping for feedback from the public before anything is finalised.

North Yorkshire county council education spokesman, Coun Chris Metcalfe, said: "Where there are spare places in primary schools, the education authority is encouraging schools to look creatively at community use and, in particular, at working with others to provide child care and out-of-school activities to make use of that space.

"We will also be working with the Learning and Skills Council based in York to establish a joint approach to a review of all post-16 provision in the county - in schools and colleges of further education."

Coun Metcalfe emphasised the authority wants people across North Yorkshire to give their own views on priorities.

For example, the county authority is hoping to build a new school at Brompton-on-Swale, where pupil numbers have grown since new housing was built in the area.

Coun Jim Fryer, who represents Brompton-on-Swale on Richmondshire District Council, said: "It is important parents in particular say what they want while they have the opportunity to be heard.

"It is difficult to say if a new school would be a good thing or not at the moment as not all the housing were are expecting in the area has been built but that shouldn't mean people miss a chance to be consulted," he added.

More details of the county's council's draft Schools' Organisation Plan can be found on the authority's website at www.north yorks.gov.uk. Consultation closes on Monday, July 8.