Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) advising Cabinet of the objections received following publication of the Statutory Notice and whether to approve implementation of the proposal.

RESOLVED that, following consideration of the findings of the objections report, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Clocaenog and Ysgol Cyffylliog on 31 August 2014 to enable a new area school to be opened on 1 September 2014 using the existing sites at Clocaenog and Cyffylliog.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report detailing the objections received following publication of the Statutory Notice to close Ysgol Clocaenog and Ysgol Cyffylliog on 31 August 2014 and establish a new area school on the existing sites.

Cabinet considered the objections detailed within the report together with arguments for the proposal and factors detailed in the School Organisation Code.  During that process members asked questions and sought assurances regarding a number of issues.  Councillor Bobby Feeley acknowledged the complex nature of the Ruthin area review and expressed reservations that the proposal offered the right solution in this particular case, highlighting a number of areas of concern.

The following responses were provided to issues raised –

·        an area school had been proposed in this case because the distance pupils had to travel to the nearest appropriate school was too far if both schools closed

·        the benefits of a new school were highlighted including being able to deliver a changing curriculum within a reduced age range of pupils taught together

·        a range of factors had been considered in determining proposals, not just the size of schools, with the overriding consideration to provide the right school, in the right location, delivering the right education

·        concerns regarding suitability of the road network had been acknowledged but the road was used for public transport and efforts would be made to ensure roads were passable and a priority for gritting

·        the categorisation process for the amount of Welsh medium education delivered within schools was explained and neither school would be disadvantaged as a result of the proposals.

In view of the size of the Ruthin area review it had been necessary to carry out the process in stages and this proposal had been submitted at an earlier stage because of the requirement for a statutory notice.  Assurances were provided that no one proposal had been prioritised over another and that a consistent approach had been applied across all schools with outcomes differing depending upon the different circumstances of each school.  Funding requirements for all schools arising from the review would be considered at the same time by Cabinet during the summer and a clearer picture would then emerge in terms of timescales.

Councillor Joe Welch compared parts of the review with that of Ysgol Llanbedr.  He questioned the inclusion of projected pupil numbers and sought clarification over the savings to be made, effect on the community, and queried the location of the school in light of the road concerns.  The following responses were provided –

·        projected pupil numbers had been taken into account as part of the Ysgol Llanbedr review but the school had still not been considered sustainable

·        transport costs would have been incurred in any event because more admission applications had been received for Ysgol Clocaenog than places available

·        calculations used in determining savings were explained and it was confirmed that short term costs would be incurred whilst the schools remained on two sites

·        the majority of pupils affected by the review lived in Clocaenog and further work on the location of a new school would progress if the proposal was approved.

Councillor Arwel Roberts spoke in favour of the proposal highlighting the inadequacies of the schools’ facilities and benefits of a new school for pupils.  In moving the recommendation Councillor Eryl Williams highlighted his commitment to ensure the Ruthin area received high quality educational provision and facilities.  He believed the proposal to be the best option for pupils in that area.

RESOLVED that, following consideration of the findings of the objections report, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Clocaenog and Ysgol Cyffylliog on 31 August 2014 to enable a new area school to be opened on 1 September 2014 using the existing sites at Clocaenog and Cyffylliog.

Councillor Bobby Feeley abstained from voting on the above resolution.