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 to implement the proposal.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       note the findings of the objection report, and

(b)       following consideration of the above, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr as of the 31^st August 2016 with existing pupils transferring to Ysgol Borthyn, Ruthin subject to parental preference.

[The Leader sought assurances from Cabinet members who confirmed they were satisfied that they had been given enough opportunity to study all the information relating to this item in order to make a fully informed decision.]

The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services referred to the School Organisation Code and explained that Cabinet must determine the proposal with an open mind taking into account the relevant factors as set out in paragraphs 4.5, 4.8 and 4.9 of the report.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report detailing the objections received following publication of the statutory notice of the proposal for consideration.  He referred to the Council’s vision for education and significant investment in schools as part of the modernising education agenda.  The proposal had been made as part of the wider Ruthin area review and the case for change had been set out in the report based on the Council’s objectives to reduce surplus places, achieve a fairer and more equitable distribution of school funding and provide greater efficiency and effectiveness of the school estate.  Educational provision in the area included (1) Welsh Medium Education, (2) English Medium Education, (3) Welsh Medium Faith Based Education, and (4) English Medium Faith Education.  He advised that those four elements of provision would continue if the proposal was implemented.

Cabinet considered the objections detailed within the report together with the arguments for the proposal and factors detailed in the School Organisation Code.  Members sought clarity over the references to federation within the consultation responses and whether this option would meet the Council’s key objectives and questioned why alternative proposals had not been consulted upon.  Questions were also raised regarding Ysgol Borthyn’s capacity to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Llanbedr and wrap around childcare provision.  Assurances were also sought that the proposal represented the best option to meet the Council’s objectives.

Officers responded as follows –

·         it was explained that alternatives to the proposal had been considered, including the case for federation, at an earlier stage in the consultation process.  Both advantages and disadvantages had been considered and whilst federation had many benefits it did not address the Council’s key objectives to tackle surplus places, achieve a fairer and more equitable distribution of school funding, or provide greater efficiency and effectiveness of the school estate

·         the School Organisation Code required the Council to work with key partners such as the Diocese and that consultation had taken place in April/May.  An analysis of alternative options had been undertaken and reasons given as to why those options, including federation, had not been pursued.  These alternative options were included in the formal consultation report alongside the Council’s preferred option

·         assurances were given that the proposal met the requirements of the School Organisation Code and represented the best option to meet the Council’s key objectives to tackle surplus place, decrease the cost per pupil and provide an efficient and sustainable school estate

·         it was confirmed that if every child from Ysgol Llanbedr chose to transfer to Ysgol Borthyn there would be capacity to support that transfer – some minor configuration of teaching space could be required

·         it was accepted that the current wrap around childcare facility at Ysgol Llanbedr was highly valued but wrap around care provision was available at other schools within the area, including Ysgol Borthyn and if the proposal went ahead officers would work to help support that provision.

Councillor Huw Williams spoke against the proposal and questioned the cost involved, including adaptation of Ysgol Borthyn to accommodate additional pupils.  He highlighted that funding to progress the remaining Ruthin area review proposals was not dependent on the school’s closure and the closure of the wrap around care childcare facility would result in the loss of four full time jobs.  Councillor Williams argued that the federation option should be pursued and pointed to the wealth of opposition to the closure submitting that the school would likely be full if it had not been under threat of closure.  Finally he queried whether Cabinet was confident that the Minister would uphold their decision if they decided to close the school.

Councillor Eryl Williams and the Head of Education responded as follows –

·         any adaptations to Ysgol Borthyn would involve reconfiguration of learning space and costs would be minimal – no significant capital investment would be required

·         officers would work with wrap around childcare providers and offer support as appropriate

·         it was accepted that delivery of the remaining Ruthin area review proposals were not financially dependent on any individual school closure but keeping the school open would not address the key objectives and factors identified in the School Organisation Code in terms of surplus places, sustainable schools and ensuring a fairer distribution of pupil funding

·         Cabinet would make a fully informed decision on the merits of the proposal and could not pre-empt actions following that process.

Councillor Dewi Owens also spoke against the proposal believing it had been developed with closure in mind as opposed to saving the school.  He blamed the Council for the fall in pupil numbers and felt more should be done to address that.  Councillor Martyn Holland also raised concerns arguing that other school closures had resulted in new area schools but this case involved the transfer of pupils to Ruthin and questions had been raised regarding capacity at Ysgol Borthyn.  He also submitted that there were costs associated with transferring pupils and the council would not benefit financially from a capital receipt because it did not own the land or school building – federation would result in cost saving.  He cautioned against making a decision to close the school at this time because the impact of the new Glasdir schools on the future viability of Ysgol Borthyn was as yet unknown – an exodus of pupils to the new schools could lead to the loss of faith based provision in the area.

Councillor Eryl Williams responded that there was a demand for English medium faith based education in the area which could be met by Ysgol Borthyn and the school was considered sustainable going forward – implementing the proposal would ensure the existing combination of educational provision in both Welsh and English medium schools and Welsh and English medium faith based schools was retained.  It was also reiterated that all other options had been considered, including federation, but following an analysis it was decided not to take federation forward as an option because it did not meet the Council’s key objectives.

Cabinet was satisfied that appropriate processes had been followed and complied with the requirements of the School Organisation Code.  Cabinet accepted that difficult decisions needed to be made in progressing the schools modernisation agenda but considered that implementing the proposal represented the best option to ensure an appropriate mix of sustainable education provision in the Ruthin area for the future.  In moving the recommendations Councillor Eryl Williams acknowledged the difficult decision but reiterated his commitment to ensuring high quality sustainable education provision and facilities for every pupil in the county.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       note the findings of the objection report, and

(b)       following consideration of the above, Cabinet approve implementation of the proposal to close Ysgol Llanbedr as of the 31^st August 2016 with existing pupils transferring to Ysgol Borthyn, Ruthin subject to parental preference.

At this juncture (11.10 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.