Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations, including:

(a)  That Cabinet commission consultation on statutory proposals for school organisation change for September 2017 based on Option B – Area school on two sites – Ysgol Rhos Helyg, Rhosesmor would remain as it is, retain its name, category, budget, governors, staff and would remain in its community.  Brynford CP and Lixwm CP would amalgamate onto one site.  The amalgamated school would retain its category but would have a new name, governing body, head teacher and budget and would remain in one of the communities, either Brynford or Lixwm; and

(b)  That if proposals for a federation between Brynford CP or Lixwm CP were to be submitted from both governing bodies prior to consultation on statutory proposals commencing in September 2017, this would be considered by Cabinet at that time.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report on the School Modernisation update which informed Cabinet of the responses from the information consultation period for the Area Review.

            Recommendations for the initial phase of the School Modernisation Plan were presented and approved by Cabinet in June 2015.  At that time, Cabinet agreed to complete an area review of the following schools; Brynford CP School, Lixwm CP School and Ysgol Rhos Helyg, Rhosesmor.  This was due to the schools in the area meeting a number of triggers for review in accordance with the Council’s School Modernisation Strategy.  Consultation opened on 1^st July, 2016 and closed on 26^th August, 2016 with consultation events for parents/carers/staff and governors.  A copy of the consultation report was shown at Appendix 1 of the report. 

            The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) commented on the sensitivity recognised when dealing with school organisation and thanked the school staff, governing bodies and school council for their thoughtful and active involvement in the consultation process.  He spoke of the clear evidence in the potential for school organisation in Brynford and Lixwm bringing increased resilience over time and that this would be tested during the consultation process.  The anticipated consultation timeline was shown at Appendix 4 of the report and it was recommended that the consultation document be published in September 2017 with a view of implementing the selected option in September 2018.

            Councillor Attridge asked if a proposal for a federation between Brynford CP School and Lixwm CP School was submitted by the governing bodies, could this be considered prior to the formal consultation process beginning in September, 2016.  The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) responded that the Schools could submit a proposal for federation at any point in time for Cabinet to consider.

            The Chief Executive advised that Cabinet would need to consider making funds available through the Capital Programme for any re-modelling works required.

            In response to a question from Councillor Attridge, the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) explained that there was sufficient evidence that Rhos Helyg CP School should stand alone.   

RESOLVED:

(a)          That Cabinet commission consultation on statutory proposals for school organisation change for September 2017 based on Option B – Area school on two sites – Ysgol Rhos Helyg, Rhosesmor would remain as it is, retain its name, category, budget, governors, staff and would remain in its community.  Brynford CP and Lixwm CP would amalgamate onto one site.  The amalgamated school would retain its category but would have a new name, governing body, head teacher and budget and would remain in one of the communities, either Brynford or Lixwm; and

(b)               That if proposals for a federation between Brynford CP or Lixwm CP were to be submitted from both governing bodies prior to consultation on statutory proposals commencing in September 2017, this would be considered by Cabinet at that time.