Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Leader extended a warm welcome to members of the public present to hear the debate on proposals for faith based provision.

The Leader also welcomed the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Bishop of Wrexham together with their supporting officers, Michael Carding and Rita Price to the meeting.

The Leader explained questions from Cabinet members would be allowed in the first instance.  Councillors attending as observers would then be invited to ask questions.  Members of the public would not be able to ask questions.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed the Cabinet procedure rules within the constitution.

Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director: Customers

Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting.

No Members declared any personal or prejudicial interest in any business identified to be considered at the meeting.

No declaration of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised.

Notice of items which, in the opinion of the chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

No items were raised which in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

No urgent matters had been raised.

At this juncture, Councillor Richard Davies handed the Leader a petition he had received from St. Brigid’s School. 

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 September, 2013 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24 September, 2013 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 September 2013 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24 September, 2013 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams (copy enclosed) which provides the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report, circulated previously, which provided the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            To note the findings of the formal consultation for the closure of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s School and the opening of a new school;

(ii)          To confirm the commitment towards working in partnership with the Catholic and Church in Wales Diocesan Authorities to deliver a new faith based school;

(iii)         To agree to develop a proposal to enable formal consultation for the building of a new faith based school to replace the existing Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s provision.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education presented the report, circulated previously, which provided the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and for Cabinet Members to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

Councillor Williams provided background to the situation and highlighted the need for a strategic and cohesive approach. 

The Leader invited both the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Bishop of Wrexham for their views regarding the Faith Based Provision.

The Bishop of St. Asaph, the Right Reverend Dr Gregory K Cameron, expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity for the Diocese of St. Asaph to become a promoter for a new single faith based school in Denbighshire.  The vision would be for one school of shared faith provision for the citizens of Denbighshire.  The Bishop reiterated he believed in excellence in education and the scheme would be an opportunity to build something excellent and to answer all the needs of the community.  The Bishop of St. Asaph urged Cabinet members to accept the report.

The Bishop of Wrexham, the Right Reverend Monsignor Peter Brignall, also expressed his gratitude to be given the opportunity to present and endorse the provision put before the Cabinet members.  For 50 years the Diocese of Wrexham had been providers of secondary education in Denbighshire.  The Bishop reported upon the success of the transition of St. Joseph’s School in Wrexham to a joint faith school. The joint faith school would be an opportunity to provide the best for those families and parents who chose faith education for their children regardless of their religion.   As an existing provider, it would be hoped that faith education continued to be provided not only in part of the county but for the whole of the catchment of the schools within Denbighshire.  The Bishop of Wrexham fully endorsed the Bishop of St. Asaph’s support and total commitment to faith based education for the young people for this generation and generations in the future.

During discussion it had been clarified that Phase 1 of the scheme had been intended as an interim phase.  Consultation had raised concerns as there had been very little support for Phase 1 from key stakeholders.  Phase 1 could potentially have been progressed but there could have been a negative impact on standards.  It was imperative standards did not regress.  As this had been a matter of operational delivery, in the face of the outcome of the consultation, it had been decided energy would be best directed to deliver one school of Christian context on one site.  Denbighshire County Council guaranteed continued support to each school in the interim.

Blessed Edward Jones High School accommodated students from the age of 11 – 16.  St. Brigid’s school accommodated students from the age of 3 – 19.   It had been clarified during the meeting that the age range of the new school would be given more consideration during Phase 2 of the scheme.  Primary provision and also post 16 provision would be considered. 

A business case was to be drawn up whereby options would be set out and costed.  Funding of £28million had been agreed in principle.  To provide two facilities would not be the best use of facilities going forward as this would be significantly more expensive.  This would be demonstrated within the business case.  If the business case put forward was to cost more than the bid, then officers would have to come back to members for a decision within the available finances.

During Phase 2 of the scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

At this juncture (11.30 a.m.) there was a 15 minute break.

Meeting reconvened at 11.45 a.m.

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams (copy enclosed) to update Cabinet Members of the discussions with the Church in Wales Diocesan Authority regarding the Ruthin Primary review and the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report, circulated previously, which updated Cabinet Members of the discussions with the Church in Wales Diocesan Authority regarding the Ruthin Primary review and the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed to approve formal consultation for proposals to close Ysgol Llanbedr on the 31^st August 2014 with existing pupils transferring to Ysgol Borthyn, subject to parental preference, subject to the findings of the discussion with the Church in Wales.

The Leader explained questions from Cabinet members would be allowed in the first instance.  Councillors attending as observers would then be invited to ask questions.  Members of the public would not be able to ask questions.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed the Cabinet procedure rules within the constitution.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report, circulated previously, which updated Cabinet Members of the discussions with the Church in Wales Diocesan Authority regarding the Ruthin Primary review and the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr.

A meeting had been held on 25 September 2013 with Education Officers from the Diocesan Authority to discuss the proposal and the wider issues impacting upon Ysgol Llanfair and Ysgol Borthyn.

In respect of the specific proposal, the outcome was that no agreement had been reached between Denbighshire County Council and the Diocese of St. Asaph regarding the closure of Ysgol Llanbedr.  Should the proposal go forward, the Director, on behalf of the Diocese, would make a formal response, having consulted again with the Board of Education.

It was anticipated that the Consultation on the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr would take place between 11 November 2013 and 23 December 2013.  The consultation process would give parents, pupils, governors and staff, the opportunity to comment upon the proposals before a decision would be made by Cabinet whether to proceed and formally publish proposals for change.

Councillor Huw Williams put forward several questions on behalf of Ysgol Llanbedr.  Intense discussion took place and the following responses given:

·         At the time of finalising the report, the authority had processed 4 applications for reception and 5 applications for nursery provision.  The deadline for applications to nursery and reception were 29 November 2013 and 21 February 2014 respectively.

·         The capacity for the permanent school building had previously been recorded as 77.  This had included 54 permanent places and 23 places within mobile accommodation.  The Governing Body had made representations for the mobile provision to be removed from the school and, therefore, the capacity had been calculated at 54 full time pupil places.

·         Although pupil projections showed an increase in pupil numbers over the coming years that could potentially reduce surplus places at the school, the fact remained Ysgol Llanbedr would remain a “small school” and issues would still remain regarding the sustainability and viability of Ysgol Llanbedr and standards of education and attainment in the future.

·         Small school provision provided mixed age classes across the range.  There was a potential that years 4, 5 and 6 could be educated in one class.  The authority reviewed whether a school of this size provided suitable learning.

·         There were currently 21 pupils attending Ysgol Llanbedr who could be re-schooled at Ysgol Borthyn as they had additional capacity for 31 pupils.

·         The transport policy for the primary sector was if a child lived more than 2 miles from their closest school or on an unsafe route then the Council would pay for school transport.  If parents chose a school which was not their closest then the parents would be required to pay for the transport.

·         Within the Local Development Plan (LDP), were plans for a development of 80 new homes in Llanbedr.  There were constraints within the admissions policy at Ysgol Llanbedr as the maximum capacity was 54 pupils. 

·         All schools within Denbighshire with a capacity of less than 80 pupils would come under review in the future.  This model had been provided by Estyn to look at whether schools of less than 80 pupils were viable.

·         Discussions were also to take place as to whether the privately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

At this juncture (1.00 p.m.) there was a 5 minute break.

Meeting reconvened at 1.05 p.m.

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill (copy enclosed) which provides the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

Councillor J. Thompson Hill presented the report, circulated previously, which provided an update on the Council’s current financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet members note the progress against the agreed budget strategy.

Councillor J. Thompson Hill presented the report, circulated previously, which provided an update on the Council’s current financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet members note the progress against the agreed budget strategy.

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley to approve the GIFT  Tender Exemption and to award the contract.

Councillor Bobby Feeley presented the report, circulated previously, which sought Cabinet approval to the GIFT Tender Exemption and to award the contract.

RESOLVED that Cabinet members approve the GIFT tender exemption and to award the contract to the Wallich, the existing provider.

Councillor Bobby Feeley presented the report, circulated previously, which sought Cabinet approval to the GIFT Tender Exemption and to award the contract.

RESOLVED that Cabinet members approve the GIFT tender exemption and to award the contract to the Wallich, the existing provider.

To receive the enclosed Cabinet Forward Work Programme and note the contents.

Councillor H. H. Evans presented the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

RESOLVED that Cabinet receive the Forward Work Programme, subject to the agreed amendments.

Councillor H. H. Evans presented the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Cabinet agreed:

·         the Procurement Business Case for a combined Denbighshire and Flintshire Service which was scheduled for November, be added to 14^th January 2013 meeting

·         Vibrant and Viable Places – Funding Bid for Rhyl Town Centre Projects be taken off the November 2013 meeting

RESOLVED that Cabinet receive the Forward Work Programme, subject to the agreed amendments.

The meeting concluded at 1.35 p.m.