Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee receives further update reports on school modernisation to respond to the issues raised by members during the meeting;

(b)       That the update report includes information on the progress of the Northern Gateway development; and

(c)        That the School Modernisation Partnership Board be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee.

The Head of Development and Resources introduced a report to update on the progress made with School Modernisation.  He provided background information and outlined the key considerations in the report.

Councillor Nancy Matthews referred to the governance arrangements for the proposed post-16 Hub in Connah’s Quay.  In response to the queries raised by Councillor Matthews, the Head of Development and Resources explained that the new Sixth Form Centre would have its own Governing Body to address the day-to-day running of the centre. Overarching strategic governance would be provided by Coleg Cambria.  In answer to the further questions raised by Councillor Matthews concerning staffing arrangements at the Hub, the Head of Service explained that staffing would be ring fenced for those schools affected to reduce the risk of redundancy.  The Chairman commented on the need to ensure that there would not be a net loss to teachers in affected schools.  The Director advised that Trade Unions were involved in ongoing consultation on the development of school modernisation plans.  

In response to comments around the inter-relationship between the school modernisation programme and the repairs and maintenance budget, the Committee agreed that a report on this be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas referred to the consultation to be undertaken with the community of Saltney to consider options for post-16 provision and asked whether Primary schools were also being consulted.  She also referred to the issue of funding for the 21^st Century Schools programme and sought clarification around any underspend and if this could be reallocated into other projects.  The Director confirmed that Welsh Government funding is for designated announced projects only. Only the Local Authority contribution would remain available to the Local Authority’s Capital Programme.

Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer referred to the need to commission further review work in relation to primary education and asked if the Committee could have a list of the Primary schools with a high percentage of surplus places.  The Director agreed to provide updated data on primary school demography.

In response to a concern from Councillor Mackie and Rebecca Stark the Director confirmed that officers would continue to update members with the developing plans for the new Sixth Form Centre, for which state of preparedness had been assessed positively at the recent independent Gateway review. This would include arrangements on curriculum design and staffing as they develop over the two and half years to implementation.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the report on Secondary School Area Reviews which was submitted to Cabinet on 12 June 2012.  He emphasised that the objectives of the Flintshire School  Modernisation  strategy was to reduce the number of surplus places in secondary schools.  He expressed concern that building a new school on the JohnSummers High School site which was the same size as the current school, would not address the issue of surplus places.   In his response the Director referred to the range of principles underpinning school modernisation which had been reflected in Members’ consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74