Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education (copy enclosed) presenting the objection report for consideration and seeking Cabinet approval of the proposal.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       note the findings of the objection report;

(b)       following consideration of the above, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Rhewl on the 31 August 2017 with existing pupils transferring to the new school building of Ysgol Pen Barras, Ruthin or Rhos Street School, Ruthin subject to parental preference, and

(c)        that applications for discretionary transport to the nearest category 2 school, be considered on a case by case by case basis, from existing pupils of Ysgol Rhewl and their siblings for the remainder of their primary education.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report detailing the objections received following publication of the Statutory Notice to close Ysgol Rhewl with pupils transferring to Ysgol Pen Barras or Rhos Street School subject to parental preference, together with factors to be considered prior to determining the proposal.

The proposal for Ysgol Rhewl had been made in the context of the wider Ruthin area review taking into account the suitability and condition of school sites and surplus places and the impact on the long term sustainability of the school.  Cabinet was reminded that Performance Scrutiny Committee had recommended further work be undertaken during the consultation process to address concerns raised relating to the new Glasdir site and the Welsh Language offer.  The findings of that work had been included at Appendix D and E to the report.  Councillor Merfyn Parry (local member) raised concerns over the adequacy of that supplementary work in terms of consultation highlighting the lack of information provided by officers in order to inform meaningful debate at meetings and the difficulties in convening meetings due to the availability of key individuals.  He felt appropriate consultation had not been undertaken, adding that there had been no discussion whatsoever on the latest proposal to provide discretionary transport to the nearest category 2 school.  Consequently Councillor Parry asked that the matter be deferred pending further consultation with stakeholders.  Cabinet sought assurances regarding the supplementary work as directed by scrutiny and officers reported upon a timetable of communication culminating in the findings as detailed in Appendix D and E to the report.  Cabinet considered the process of engagement to be robust and that sufficient information had been provided to enable a fully informed decision.

Councillor Williams drew members’ attention to the report and statutory processes to be followed.  Cabinet considered the objections detailed within the report together with the arguments for the proposal and factors detailed in the School Organisation Code.  Members paid particular attention to issues raised relating to the new Glasdir site and Welsh Language impact as the main areas of concern –

(1)  Concerns relating to the new site at Glasdir

Concerns had been raised regarding road safety and feasibility of the development.

Two road safety assessments had been undertaken on 14/08/15 (school holiday) and 15/09/15 (school term) which found that the current route for pupils walking from Rhewl to Glasdir was not hazardous.  The assessment did not take into account any future development and Cabinet sought assurances as to the future safety of the route and ensuring appropriate traffic control measures were in place prior to the new schools’ opening.  The need to clarify the 30 mph speed limit for motorists travelling into Ruthin was also raised.  Officers provided assurances that route safety was a top priority which would be kept under close review.  Traffic and transport assessments would continue throughout the site development as circumstances changed to ensure any safety issues were identified.

Regarding the feasibility of the development to accommodate pupils assurances were provided that proposed capacity of the two new schools would allow sufficient room for growth.  The proposal linked the transfer of pupils from Ysgol Rhewl to the new schools at Glasdir and pupils would not be expected to move twice in the event of any delay in the site development process.  Cabinet agreed that the intention to transfer pupils to the new schools be made clear in the resolution.

(2)  Concerns relating to the impact on the Welsh Language offer

Concerns had been raised that the current Welsh Language offer could not be replicated if pupils moved to either of the new schools.  Councillor Merfyn Parry reiterated those concerns and whilst noting the latest proposal to provide an option to transfer pupils to the nearest category 2 school he remained concerned about the lack of consultation and detail provided to test whether it was a robust option and he raised questions in that regard.  Cabinet also sought assurances that the three curriculum offers for pupils in terms of Welsh medium, English medium and dual stream settings provided at least equivalent standards and opportunities for progression in their current language medium.

Officers responded to those issues as follows –

·        further context was provided to the current language offer in the area and the extent of Welsh Language delivered in a range of settings which demonstrated suitable alternative provision.  The current proposal allowed parents to choose three types of setting in order for pupils to maintain their current language medium – Welsh medium (Pen Barras), English medium (Rhos Street) and Dual stream (Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd).  As a result pupils would not be disadvantaged in terms of standards and opportunities for progression in their current language medium if the proposal was implemented

·        if Cabinet approved the proposal officers would discuss school preferences with parents and capacity would be built into the new Glasdir site schools and the proposals for the new area category 2 school.  Officers were confident that all three schools had capacity to accommodate parental preferences for pupils transferring from Ysgol Rhewl

·        with regard to the transport element for the category 2 school officers explained that the Home to School Transport Policy allowed for the provision of discretionary transport in cases of school closure.  Cabinet was advised that the Head of Education would look favourably upon applications made as a result of the closure of Ysgol Rhewl and confirmed that this discretion could be extended to siblings of existing pupils – members agreed that this element be further clarified as appropriate within their resolution.

Councillor Williams moved the recommendation with amendments in order to clarify that the transfer of pupils would coincide with opening of the new school buildings and that applications for discretionary transport to the nearest category 2 school would also be considered from siblings of existing pupils.  Cabinet was satisfied that the proposal presented the best option to ensure a high standard of school provision for the future.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       note the findings of the objection report;

(b)       following consideration of the above, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Rhewl on the 31 August 2017 with existing pupils transferring to the new school building of Ysgol Pen Barras, Ruthin or Rhos Street School, Ruthin subject to parental preference, and

(c)        that applications for discretionary transport to the nearest category 2 school, be considered on a case by case by case basis, from existing pupils of Ysgol Rhewl and their siblings for the remainder of their primary education.

At this juncture (10.55 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.