Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Education and provided an update on progress of the School Modernisation Programme to date, with details of the proposed next phase of the review including consultation taking place from June 2015 to June 2016.

The School Modernisation Programme was required because there was a need to:

·         Ensure education provision was both high quality and sustainable;

·         Improve the quality of school buildings and facilities;

·         Provide the right number of school places, of the right type, in the right locations;

·         Address unsustainable school buildings and supporting infrastructure;

·         Recognise that doing nothing meant higher pupil teacher ratios as funding reduced; and

·         Ensure that external funding through the Welsh Government’s (WG’s) 21^st Century Schools Programme could be maximised

The key criteria for modernisation which underpinned the details above were:

·         Educational improvement;

·         Resilient school leadership;

·         Suitable buildings;

·         Unfilled places; and

·         Diminishing resources

There were 17% of surplus places in primary schools with the national and local target being to reduce that to under 10%.

On the issue of funding, the Cabinet Member added that the WG funding criteria for 21^st Century Schools Programme would only fund modernisation projects.  Refurbishments or maintenance projects were not eligible for a grant. However, it was important to note that new schools would not be possible in all areas.

Agreement was sought for formal consultation on closure and other school organisation options for the following schools by September 2016:

·         YsgolMaes Edwin

·         YsgolLlanfynydd

·         YsgolMornant, Gwespyr Picton

In addition, approval was sought for an area review of the following schools which would follow the process outlined in paragraph 3.04 of the report:

·         Area 1 – Brynford CP School Lixwm CP School and Ysgol Rhos Helyg, Rhosesmor

·         Area 2 – Nercwys VA School (in relation to faith and community school capacity)

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) explained that this was a clear example of austerity having an impact on schools and community services which then required difficult decisions to be made.  He provided an assurance that each of the schools identified in the report did meet the trigger criteria for review.  The decision required today was for that review to commence which would include a dedicated approach to consultation with children and young people, consultation with governors, staff, parents/carers and other stakeholders.

A number of questions had been raised at the recent meeting of Education and Youth Overview and Scrutiny Committee which covered:

·         The community impact, particularly on rural communities;

·         The possible increase in school transport;

·         Was 10% of surplus places realistic in all areas;

·         Would a change in school organisation meet future demand; and

·         What would the impact be on the Welsh language and the Welsh language education

An assurance had been given at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting that each of the issues would be looked into and reported back.  A further report and options appraisal would then be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection and Leisure asked if approving the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15