Agenda item

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 run nursery would remain at Ysgol Llanbedr.

Councillor Huw Williams requested the discussions regarding Ysgol Llanbedr be adjourned and that Federation be considered.

The Head of Customers and Education Support stated that Federation would not address the issue of too many schools and surplus places.

The Chief Executive summed up discussions which had taken place and confirmed Cabinet were not to make a decision, at its meeting today, to close Ysgol Llanbedr but to make a decision whether to approve formal consultation for proposals 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.