Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to commence consultation on school organisation proposals and to recommend to Council approval of investment for three primary school projects in the Ruthin area.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

 

(a)       approve proceeding to formal consultation for the proposed closure of Ysgol Llanfair DC and Ysgol Pentrecelyn as of the 31 August 2016 and to open a new Category 2 Voluntary Controlled school based on the existing sites on the 1 September 2016;

 

(b)       approve proceeding to formal consultation for the proposed closure of Ysgol Rhewl as of 31 August 2017 with pupils transferring to either Ysgol Penbarras or Rhos Street to coincide with the opening of the new school buildings, and

 

(c)        recommend to Council the approval of the business cases and capital allocation for

 

1.    the replacement of the existing Rhos Street/Ysgol Penbarras provision at the Glasdir Site

2.    a new school building for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn

3.    a new school building for the Llanfair and Pentrecelyn area school, subject to the outcome of the school organisation proposals.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to commence consultation on school organisation proposals arising from the Ruthin area review and to recommend to Council approval of investment for three primary school projects in the area.

 

Cabinet members had familiarised themselves with all schools subject to the Ruthin area review and were fully aware of the needs and requirements of each of those schools.  It was emphasised that no decision had been made regarding the proposals and approval was sought to start that consultation process.  In terms of the financial commitment to school projects, Councillor Julian Thompson advised that following review of the business cases, the Strategic Investment Group had recommended approval.  He clarified that the projects were not part of the 21st Century Schools funded projects but the Council had sufficient in-house capital to deliver them.  Councillor Eryl Williams added that although there was no reliance on external funding he was hopeful 21st Century Schools funding could be secured.

 

The rationale behind the reorganisation of primary schools in Ruthin had been detailed within the report and Cabinet discussed with officers the report recommendations in order to progress the next stage of the school organisation proposals.  Main discussion points on the recommendations included –

 

·        Consultation on the proposed closure of Ysgol Llanfair DC and Ysgol Pentrecelyn and opening of a new Category 2 Voluntary Controlled school

 

Cabinet was advised of the general support for an area school to replace the two schools, particularly given the state of the existing buildings.  The contentious issue in this proposal was the language categorisation of the new school but the intention was not to start debate at this time but to commence consultation and report back to a future meeting.  It was noted that parents and other interested parties had already raised concerns and assurances were provided that all issues raised would be discussed and carefully considered during the consultation process before a decision was taken.  The Leader had met with representatives from both schools and reported upon the strong feelings around the categorisation issue and different viewpoints held.  He was keen for a new school to best benefit the children and area in the future.  Reference was made to the review of the language categorisation of the county’s schools and officers provided assurances that the categorisation of all schools was monitored through the Welsh in Education Strategic Group.  Councillor Meirick Davies felt strongly that the consultation should involve the opening of a new Category 1 school as opposed to Category 2.  Councillor Eryl Williams accepted that view but responded that the arguments in terms of categorisation would be the same and all issues would be considered during the consultation process.  Assurances were sought that pupils would not be disadvantaged by a subsequent change to the language categorisation and officers highlighted that Welsh Medium stream pupils in Category 2 schools were required to achieve the same outcomes as pupils in Category 1 schools.

 

·        Consultation on the proposed closure of Ysgol Rhewl with pupils transferring to Ysgol Penbarras or Rhos Street

 

The rationale behind the proposal was reiterated based on the long term sustainability of Ysgol Rhewl.  Some reservations were expressed over whether the proposed school at Glasdir could accommodate additional pupils given the proposed number of school places.  Officers explained the calculations for pupil numbers together with other considerations including surplus capacity – there was flexibility within the process at this stage which would allow pupil projections to be revised depending upon other outcomes such as those relating to Ysgol Rhewl and Ysgol Llanbedr which would allow the school to be sized appropriately for the area.  Councillor Huw Williams submitted apologies from Councillor Merfyn Parry and shared the views of Ysgol Rhewl Governors who would campaign against school closure.  Officers advised that the Headteacher had been notified informally ahead of the Cabinet meeting and all other issues should be raised as part of the consultation process.  In terms of surplus places it would not be appropriate to apply different criteria to school projects not subject to 21st century schools funding.  Councillor Martyn Holland highlighted the importance of communication and officers reported upon the extent of the consultation in this regard in order to provide an open and transparent process. 

 

·        To recommend to Council the approval of the business cases and capital allocation for three primary school projects in the Ruthin area

 

Councillor Eryl Williams highlighted the importance of allocating specific funding at this stage in order to provide greater certainty and reflect the Council’s commitment to the school building projects if the proposals were approved.

 

(i) Glasdir Site (relocation of Rhos Street/Ysgol Penbarras)  – Officers clarified the proposal for two schools on a shared site at Glasdir and reported upon discussions with school representatives regarding their requirements which would be accommodated as far as possible given the project’s financial constraints and addressed as part of the detailed design stage.  Local Members welcomed the proposals for the two schools at the Glasdir site but raised a number of issues requiring consideration, predominately around the use of shared facilities and traffic management, highlighting that input from school representatives was paramount when considering their future requirements.  Officers acknowledged that the correct building design was crucial, reporting on work undertaken to manage the schools’ expectations and requirements to deliver efficiencies to benefit both schools within the financial and time constraints for the project.  Any capital receipts generated upon completion of the school projects would be retained corporately.  Further assurances were provided that the number of school places would be appropriately revised following the outcomes of other reviews relating to Ysgol Rhewl and Ysgol Llanbedr.  It was also accepted that planning permission for the Glasdir site had lapsed but officers were in touch with Planning Officers and confident that with the right design securing planning permission would not be an issue.

 

 (ii) Ysgol Carreg Emlyn – Members were advised that the report contained indicative timescales for the proposed new school building but it was likely that the project could commence at an earlier stage if approved because there was no requirement to submit statutory notice of the proposal.

 

(iii) Llanfair and Pentrecleyn Area School –  The proposal for a new school building for the Llanfair and Pentrecelyn area had been discussed as part of the first recommendation.

 

In moving the recommendations Councillor Eryl Williams thanked members for their contributions to debate.

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

 

(a)       approve proceeding to formal consultation for the proposed closure of Ysgol Llanfair DC and Ysgol Pentrecelyn as of the 31 August 2016 and to open a new Category 2 Voluntary Controlled school based on the existing sites on the 1 September 2016;

 

(b)       approve proceeding to formal consultation for the proposed closure of Ysgol Rhewl as of 31 August 2017 with pupils transferring to either Ysgol Penbarras or Rhos Street to coincide with the opening of the new school buildings, and

 

(c)        recommend to Council the approval of the business cases and capital allocation for

 

1.    the replacement of the existing Rhos Street/Ysgol Penbarras provision at the Glasdir Site

2.    a new school building for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn

3.    a new school building for the Llanfair and Pentrecelyn area school, subject to the outcome of the school organisation proposals.

 

At this juncture (11.30 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.