Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) regarding the recent decision of the Minister for Education and Skills on the future of Ysgol Llanbedr.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the contents of the Ministerial letter attached at Appendix 1 to the report, and

(b)       agrees for officers to commence consultation with the Church in Wales on the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr and report back to members.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report briefing Cabinet on the recent decision of the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the future of Ysgol Llanbedr and seeking approval to commence consultation with the Church in Wales on the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr and report back to members thereon.

The Minister had rejected the proposal to close the school because he concluded that whilst there were sound educational arguments in favour of the proposal the consultation had been flawed.  Following a review of the decision letter officers had recommended formal consultation with the Diocese on the school’s future.  Officers advised that the Diocese had alternative options for the school and further information would be sought during the consultation process to ascertain whether any alternative proposal addressed all the issues identified.  Cabinet discussed the way forward in light of the information presented and it was confirmed that the purpose of today’s report was not to debate school closure but to seek approval to commence consultation with the Church in Wales.  The outcome of those discussions would be presented to Cabinet in April/May.  It was also clarified that the outcome would not impact on the rest of the Ruthin area review proposals.

Councillor Huw Williams opposed the school’s closure and was disappointed the matter had been brought before Cabinet so soon after the Minister had rejected the proposal.  He highlighted that consultation flaws had been identified despite previous assurances in that regard from officers and following call in by Communities Scrutiny Committee.  Reference was also made to the stress caused to school staff, parents and pupils as a result.  In considering the next steps Councillor Williams advised that pupil numbers were increasing and asked that the school be granted a period of stability in which to flourish – he urged Cabinet not to instigate formal consultation on the school’s closure but that the matter be adjourned pending informal discussion with the Diocese in the first instance.  Councillor Joe Welch also spoke in support of the school, highlighting that funding to progress the Ruthin area review proposals was in place and not reliant on the school’s closure.  He was unhappy that officers were minded to re-commence consultation on school closure and raised questions regarding the cost of the consultation process.  Councillor Dewi Owens also urged Cabinet to take time to reflect, particularly in light of pupil projections, and advocated wider consultation.

The following responses were provided to the issues raised –

·        the Minister had been satisfied that the Council had a coherent educational case for the closure of Ysgol Llanbedr and transfer of pupils to Ysgol Borthyn

·        critically the Minister was satisfied that the proposal would ensure a fairer and more equitable distribution of funding between mainstream schools in the county

·        Denbighshire had been the first local authority to work to the new School Organisation Code and the consultation flaws identified by the Minister had not been raised previously at any other forum

·        officers and members did not necessarily agree with the Minister’s findings and although judicial review had been considered, it did not constitute best use of time and resources and the option to re-commence consultation had been recommended instead – the costs of consultation had been met within service budget

·        informal discussions would take place with the Diocese in addition to the formal 28 day consultation period.  Consideration would be given to alternative proposals which addressed the key issues and the Diocese would be invited to present those proposals to members

·        the Council was required to tackle surplus places across the whole of Denbighshire and report back thereon to Welsh Government on an annual basis

·        assurances were provided that support to the school would not be diminished in the interim period, regardless of the outcome.

Having considered the Minister’s letter and issues raised during debate Cabinet was keen to address the school’s future as soon as possible and end the period of instability.  Cabinet agreed there was a need for formal consultation with the Church in Wales in the first instance and that the outcome of those discussions be reported back to Cabinet for consideration.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the contents of the Ministerial letter attached at Appendix 1 to the report, and

(b)       agrees for officers to commence consultation with the Church in Wales on the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr and report back to members.