Agenda item

Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Paul Penlington for consideration by Full Council (copy attached).

Councillor Paul Penlington put forward the Notice of Motion for consideration by Full Council –

“That this council tasks officers to seek additional Welsh Government funding in order to fund a complete re-build of Prestatyn High School”

At this juncture Councillor Penlington informed members that he wished to amend the wording of the Notice of Motion slightly.

The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services confirmed this would be acceptable.

Councillor Penlington  read the amendment as follows –

“This Council tasks officers to seek additional Welsh Government funding in order to fund a complete re-build of Prestatyn High School based on earlier designs drawn up for the 21^st Century Schools programme that modernised to meet the current needs of secondary pupils of Prestatyn and our climate change and ecological emergency declaration”.

Councillor Penlington PROPOSED the Notice of Motion, SECONDED by Councillor Glenn Swingler.

The Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts explained procedure in place was that the Modernising Education Board assessed the condition of all schools in Denbighshire and that was the process which had been in place for the past 14 years.  Over £2m had been spent at Prestatyn High School to address urgent areas which had included refurbishment of laboratories, heating upgrade, new windows, new toilets etc.  The standard construction costs for a complete new school together with net carbon costs would be in the region of £55million.  Therefore, the cost of the feasibility study alone would cost £850k.  The Lead Member confirmed that he was not aware of plans which had been drawn up for a new building for Prestatyn High School or a feasibility study in 2017.  He would confirm with officers.

Councillor Hilditch-Roberts stated that the way forward, taking into account the sums involved it is important the council had a process to determine the priority order for investment in school buildings.  The process is evidence based, taking into account the respective needs of all schools to ensure that those in greatest need are dealt with first.  A comprehensive condition survey of all schools was undertaken in order to identify the schools that required improvements.  This was undertaken prior to the submission of the 21^st Century Band B proposals to Welsh Government which had been put forward to Cabinet and Scrutiny on numerous occasions.  This survey was considered by the Modernising Education Board and provided evidence based information upon which they could recommend the priority order of schools which needed work. 

Councillor Hilditch-Roberts PROPOSED an amendment in light of the Notice of Motion that the Modernising Education Board be asked to review the condition surveys of all schools to see whether those had been significantly changed to the condition of the school estate which would call into question that the current priority order of schools is still current and correct.  The outcome of this review could be reported to Cabinet together with any recommendations the Modernising Education Board may have as a result.  

Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones SECONDED the amendment put forward by Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts.

The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services clarified that debate should take place on the amendment and if the amendment was carried then that would become the Notice of Motion which would be voted on as the substantive Notice of Motion.  If the amendment was not agreed members would refer back to the Notice of Motion as put forward by Councillor Penlington.

Councillor Paul Penlington supported the amendment put forward by Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts.

The zoom poll vote took place on the amendment put forward by the Lead Member for Education, Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts and the result was as follows -

For – 32

Abstain – 0

Against – 5

The amendment was passed and became the substantive Notice of Motion.

A vote took place on the substantive Notice of Motion to which a majority were in favour, 2 Councillors indicated they were against (Councillors Rhys Thomas and Glenn Swingler) and 1 Councillor abstained (Councillor Gwyneth Ellis).

RESOLVED that the Modernising Education Board be asked to review the condition surveys of all schools to see whether those had been significantly changed to the condition of the school estate which would call into question that the current priority order of schools is still current and correct.  The outcome of this review could be reported to Cabinet together with any recommendations the Modernising Education Board may have as a result.