Agenda item

(a)       That the progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted; and

(b)       That a workshop for all Members be arranged in order to share detailed information on the condition surveys for repairs and maintenance of each individual school across Flintshire.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) presented the report to update the Committee on progress made with the School Modernisation Programme and additional Capital Grant funding streams available through the Welsh Government (WG).

The Chief Officer reported on the main considerations, as detailed in the report.  She referred to the 21^st Century Programme (Band A) and advised that projects at Holywell Learning Campus and Deeside 6^th were completed on time and within budget.  The remaining projects were at Connah’s Quay High School and Penyffordd County Primary School which would effectively bring the Band A programme to a close.  The Chief Officer also reported on the Brynford and Lixwm area review, and consultation on federation between Nercwys Voluntary Aided School and Nannerch Voluntary Controlled School. 

Referring to the 21^st Century Schools and Education Programme (Band B) she reported that Welsh Ministers had confirmed that this would be funded by both capital and revenue budgets.  The Chief Officer advised that local authorities had recently received positive news from the WG regarding improved intervention rates by the WG for the onward investment programme, however, meeting the costs of the Council contribution would still be a challenge.  The Chief Officer also reported on developments concerning the capital project for Portfolio Pupil Referral Unit (PPRU) and for Queensferry CP, the WG Infants Class Size Grant, Council Funded Programme, WG Welsh Medium Grant, and WG Childcare Grant.

In response to the comments made by Councillor Patrick Heesom on the design of some new school buildings, the Chief Officer advised that a rigorous process of consultation was undertaken with all key stakeholders before the design of a new school building was approved.  She also commented on the scientific and technical standards which had to be met with new build projects.  In response to the further comments made by Councillor Heesom, the Chief Officer reported on progress on the School Modernisation Plan which she explained was regularly reviewed to address provision within the County.  The Chief Officer offered to meet with Councillor Heesom to discuss in detail any specific matters he had concerning provision in his Ward.  

            Councillor Dave Mackie questioned the date of the Cabinet meeting in section 1.18 of the report.  The Chief Officer said that this date was incorrect and she would circulate a copy of the Cabinet report which detailed the decision for work to be undertaken concurrently with the same contractor/team for the capital improvement project at Connah’s Quay High School.  During discussion officers responded to the further questions raised by Councillor Mackie concerning capital funding and the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) which was a form of PFI and an in-depth study, conducted by the National Audit Office of the United Kingdom concluded that the private finance initiative model had proved to be more expensive and less efficient in providing hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure than public financing.  Councillor Mackie also noted that there was now only a 10% difference in the cost to the Authority of capital vs MIM funding and urged that MIM not be considered. 

In response to a question from Councillor Ian Smith around private sector borrowing and interest rates, the Chief Officer asked Councillor Smith to send her the specific question following the meeting in order to provide a response to the Committee.

In response to a suggestion made by Councillor Tudor Jones the Committee agreed that an all Member workshop be arranged in order to share detailed information on the condition surveys for repairs and maintenance of each individual school across Flintshire.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted; and

(b)       That a workshop for all Members be arranged in order to share detailed information on the condition surveys for repairs and maintenance of each individual school across Flintshire.