Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) recommending approval of the Final Business Case for Ysgol Glan Clwyd to Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommend to Council approval of the Final Business Case for Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St. Asaph.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report recommending approval of the Final Business Case for Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St. Asaph to Council.  The project would provide an extended and refurbished school building to meet the growing demand for Welsh Medium education in the north of the county.

Councillor Williams highlighted the positive report which demonstrated the Council’s commitment to investing in education in the county and he thanked officers for their hard work in that regard.  Councillor Huw Jones also referred to the project’s positive impact on the community resulting from improved access to St. Asaph Leisure Centre.  Cabinet welcomed the report as a good news story and discussed whether more could be done to promote and publicise the Council’s investment in schools, particularly in light of negative press surrounding school closures.  Whilst much was already being done in that regard Councillor Williams felt there would be merit in publicising the different stages in delivering school projects with pictures and illustrations from the design stage through to construction and completion, involving the school and pupils.  He felt this visualisation would better grasp the public’s attention and have a greater impact than a press release.

Officers responded to questions and confirmed that the additional cost of retaining the science block had been reabsorbed in the overall programme and the project cost remained at £15,900,000.  An area had also been set aside for use by Leisure Services which included provision for the Youth Club.  Finally assurances were given that the projection of pupil numbers in this project, and as part of the wider modernising education programme, had taken into account in so far as possible the future development of Bodelwyddan and its effect on pupil numbers.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommend to Council approval of the Final Business Case for Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St. Asaph.