Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Roberts introduced the School Organisation – Area Review, Brynford and Lixwm report which outlined the progress made since Cabinet in September when a short pause was approved to allow officers to work with the Governing Bodies of Brynford and Lixwm CP Schools.  The report also provided further information and options to consider in order to provide a determination on the way forward in the area.

                        Whilst the report recommended proceeding to statutory consultation, Councillor Roberts stressed that this did not automatically mean school closures and he provided examples of other schools that had proceeded to statutory consultation and had federated and not closed.

If proposals for a federation were received, and were viable, this could be an option supported by the Council.  Views of the local community would be sought as part of the formal consultation process as outlined in the School Organisational Code. 

                        Councillor Shotton asked that, for the benefit of the public gallery, if the drivers for the proposals could be outlined.  The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) explained that under the School Modernisation Strategy, schools that could come under review were those with surplus places and the requirement by Wales Audit Office (WAO) to minimise those.  Unfilled places in a school was inefficient for the sustainability of small schools due to the cost, particularly during these austere times.  She stressed the importance to move swiftly with the process to enable the schools involved to have certainty on the way forward as soon as possible.

                        Councillor Shotton commented on the number of letters and emails that had been received from the community which was helpful in being able to take all views into account.  He stressed that the proposal to proceed to statutory consultation was not connected in any way to the Council being required to balance a budget.

                        The Chief Officer said it was the view of the Cabinet Secretary for Education that local authorities should consider all avenues available to schools and that federation should be supported wherever possible.  Any further proposals for federation would become known during the consultation period and would be considered.

                        A timeline for the process was appended to the report however the Chief Officer explained that if a viable proposal for federation was received, that could progress sooner if possible.  Following a question from Councillor Attridge, the Chief Officer confirmed that the public consultation exercise would finish before the start of the schools’ summer holidays.

                        The Chief Executive added that following a challenge in WG, the Cabinet Secretary for Education had written to Flintshire County Council to say that the processes followed on school organisation at Flintshire were correct and residents could have confidence in the process.

            RESOLVED:

That the Council proceed to statutory consultation on school organisational change with the proposal to amalgamate Brynford and Lixwm primary schools to create one area school.