Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval of the publication of a statutory notice on proposals to change the school from a community junior school into an Anglican Faith Voluntary Controlled junior school.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the publication of a statutory notice to carry out the following proposals  –

• Denbighshire County Council will close Ysgol Esgob Morgan on 31 August 2015; and

• The Anglican Diocese of St. Asaph will open a new Anglican Faith Voluntary Controlled School to serve the communities of St. Asaph and the surrounding areas on 1 September 2015 on the existing site of Ysgol Esgob Morgan.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report detailing the findings of a formal consultation carried out on proposals to change Ysgol Esgob Morgan from a community junior school into an Anglican faith junior school with effect from 1 September 2015.  He sought Cabinet approval for the next stage – publication of a statutory notice to carry out the proposal to change the denomination of the school.

Cabinet considered the merits of the proposal together with the consultation results and noted the proposal would assist in the transition of pupils from St. Asaph VP Infants to Ysgol Esgob Morgan and streamline any future amalgamation proposals between the two schools.  In response to questions officers detailed the consultation process undertaken, which included a tailored consultation for pupils, and provided an overview of the analysis of responses received.  It was considered that the majority of objectors were not directly related to the school.  Assurances were sought regarding the impact on education standards and officers confirmed no negative impact but positive enhancements as a result of strengthening existing links with the church.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the publication of a statutory notice to carry out the following proposals  –

• Denbighshire County Council will close Ysgol Esgob Morgan on 31 August 2015; and

• the Anglican Diocese of St. Asaph will open a new Anglican Faith Voluntary Controlled School to serve the communities of St. Asaph and the surrounding areas on 1 September 2015 on the existing site of Ysgol Esgob Morgan.