Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Gill German, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet endorsement of the preferred site for the progression of the new build project for Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn.

RESOLVED that, by majority vote, Cabinet –

 

(a)      approve the preferred site for the new build of Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn as the Ystrad Road site, shown as site A on the plan attached in Appendix 2 to the report and to agree to support progression via a planning application;

 

(b)      agree that the planning application must clearly demonstrate that the loss of recreational space through development on the school playing field will be replaced by alternative outdoor provision of equivalent or greater community benefit, and

 

(d)      confirms that it had read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report, as part of its consideration.

Councillor Gill German presented the report seeking Cabinet’s endorsement of the Ystrad Road site (Site A) as the preferred site for progression of the new build for Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn and for a formal planning application to be submitted.

 

The project was part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (Band B) approved in September 2020.  The school provided specialist provision for pupils with autism aged 3 – 19 and the proposal was to bring 3 of the 4 current sites together in a purpose-built building and increase capacity to meet demand.

 

Some background to the project was provided including feasibility works on the new build proposals and consultation with stakeholders on the Ystrad Road site (Site A).  Main issues arising from informal planning consultation related to site selection, loss of sporting facilities and highways access, and responses/mitigation for those issues were provided.  Whilst supporting the need for improved facilities, Denbigh Member Area Group (MAG) had concerns over Site A and officers were asked to review those concerns and assess alternative sites and locations.  Feasibility works were undertaken on an alternative site (Site B) and legal counsel’s advice was provided on the risks to the Council from a planning policy perspective.  The Lead Member and officers could not support progression of Site B due to significant planning restrictions to overcome above and beyond those at Site A, and from an educational perspective given the impact on future development plans for Denbigh High School. However, Site B remained the preferred option for Denbigh MAG. 

 

Councillor German highlighted mitigation measures to address concerns over Site A.  She drew attention to the Wellbeing Impact Assessment (WBIA) and accepted the overall negative impact on cohesive communities and Denbigh residents and the need for additional mitigation to address all the issues raised.  Community impact had been raised by Councillor Martyn Hogg outside of the meeting and assurances had been provided that it would remain a live issue. Work would be carried out to identify opportunities and maximise benefits of other open spaces in the town in addition to the replacement of the sporting facilities.  Overall, here was a net positive outcome for the proposal with beneficiaries across Denbighshire.

 

In closing, Councillor German confirmed that it had been a lengthy process and she had been disappointed that an outcome had not been reached to the satisfaction of all but thanked all those involved for their hard work and decorum.  Consequently, she recommended progression of the Ystrad Road site (Site A) for the new build.

 

Councillor Rhys Thomas raised concerns that the engagement and consultation process, as set out in the School Organisation Code, had not been properly carried out, which he illustrated by drawing attention to documentation from key stakeholders, including Denbigh High School and Denbighshire Leisure Limited, notice of the Council’s intention to apply for planning permission at Site A some twelve months previously, an artist’s impression of the school site some six months before that, and Denbigh MAG not being included in a site meeting with developers.  Councillor Emrys Wynne added that there appeared to have been a catalogue of failures over a period of longer than eighteen months and asked whether there was evidence that Denbigh High School’s Governing Body had expressed a view.  Councillor Gwyneth Ellis also sought further clarity on issues raised by Councillor Martyn Hogg (which he had emailed to all members) with regard to the WBIA.

 

The Lead Member and officers responded to the issues raised as follows –

 

·       clarified the role of Cabinet on a strategic level to clearly authorise the submission of a planning application; it would then be a matter for the planning process and Planning Committee as to whether the application was successful

·       images of potential designs of the school were for illustrative purposes only and sometimes changed significantly from the original artist impressions

·       there was documented evidence of emails, face to face meetings, and telephone calls on the engagement with Denbigh High School from November 2019, spanning the previous school leadership, up to March 2023; a similar review of evidence had been carried out with other key partners, including Denbighshire Leisure Limited with an initial discussion in January 2020

·       the Chief Executive had also attended a number of Denbigh MAG meetings on this topic and was satisfied that members had been appropriately engaged

·       detailed Cabinet’s involvement in the decision-making process relating to school projects, with approvals given in September 2020 and April 2022.  Progression had been paused to allow further scrutiny of processes and options

·       disagreed that there had been a catalogue of failures but accepted there was always room for improvement

·       engagement had been carried out in line with other projects, including Band A

·       approved minutes of Governing Body meetings were visible to the public

·       referenced a joint statement issued in March 2023 by Denbigh High School and Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in which the main priority for Denbigh High School was for a refurbished, remodelled school for the wellbeing of pupils and staff, the longer the Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn project took, the longer the uncertainty carried on; both projects must move forward because they were intrinsically linked

·       confirmed Councillor Martyn Hogg had been satisfied with the responses given to the matters raised regarding the WBIA, and green space in particular

·       elaborated on the development of the WBIA in line with other WBIAs and work to ensure that the document accurately reflected the views of all stakeholders which had been particularly borne out by the section on cohesive communities.

 

A new build with extra capacity was required to meet current and future demand for specialist provision in Denbighshire and all were in favour of increasing the school’s capacity to meet those needs.  The issues of concern related to the site selection process for the new build and level of engagement/consultation carried out.

 

In opening up the debate to non-Cabinet members the following was discussed –

 

·       Councillor Delyth Jones stressed the importance of a successful school sitting comfortably in its community, and she revisited some of the points made with regard to the WBIA, to ensure that the view of all key stakeholders had been properly evaluated and reflected, and the need for more involvement and a broader engagement process on the impact of the proposal.  Officers reiterated that the WBIA was a comprehensive, live document under constant review and guidance on its completion had been taken from the WBIA Lead Officer.  It was also clarified that a meeting had been arranged specifically to address the issue of open space in Denbigh following the concerns raised by Denbigh MAG

·       Councillor Mark Young appreciated the difficulties involved and advocated working together positively going forward; he sought a commitment regarding the changing room facilities and better engagement with Denbigh High School.  It was confirmed that the location of the changing facilities would be considered when working with Denbigh High School as part of the overall design process.  The Head of Education and Lead Member confirmed they would be willing to attend Governing Body meetings and for the topic to be a standing agenda item

·       Councillor Pauline Edwards referred to the overall Band B proposals which included a project for Ysgol Pendref, which remained on two separate sites, and highlighted that project also needed to be progressed as a priority.

 

Councillor German thanked everyone for their contributions to a robust debate, highlighting that best endeavours had been made to address the issues raised which would continue going forward.  Having considered all factors, and for the reasons outlined, she asked Cabinet to approve the report recommendations.

 

RESOLVED that, by majority vote, Cabinet –

 

(a)      approve the preferred site for the new build of Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn as the Ystrad Road site, shown as site A on the plan attached in Appendix 2 to the report and to agree to support progression via a planning application;

 

(b)      agree that the planning application must clearly demonstrate that the loss of recreational space through development on the school playing field will be replaced by alternative outdoor provision of equivalent or greater community benefit, and

 

(d)      confirms that it had read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment, as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report, as part of its consideration.

 

At this point (12.25 pm) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.