Agenda item

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Roberts introduced the report which provided the background to proposed capital investment schemes at Ysgol Brynford and Ysgol Croes Atti (Shotton site).

            The report demonstrated how the Council was fulfilling its commitments to continually improve the sustainability of primary education in the County, and underpinned the commitment to Welsh medium education and also to rural schools.

            Support was sought to bring together a number of key funding streams for Ysgol Croes Atti, as well as making an early commitment within the capital programme in order to maximise the much needed investment in the school.  It would improve the learning environment both indoors and outside to ensure it was fit for the delivery of the new curriculum for Wales and provide the much needed wrap around care that parents needed. 

            Whilst the school building was structurally sound, further modifications were needed.  They would help to accommodate the growing numbers of pupils to consolidate the existing childcare and early education provision and improve the outdoor spaces in particular, which were not fit for the purposes of a modern day curriculum or the wellbeing of learners.

            The report outlined the funding received through the Childcare Capital Grant and the recycling of 21^st Century Schools funding in light of Welsh Medium Capital funding to Ysgol Glanrafon.  In order or maximise the funding and meet expenditure deadlines, it was proposed to bring forward the Council’s financial contribution in the capital programme to enable the project to move forward at pace and achieve best value.

            Regarding Ysgol Brynford, Cabinet resolved not to amalgamate Bryford and Lixwm schools last year and it was noted that Ysgol Brynford needed investment of approximately £1.3m to address some significant shortfalls in its accommodation.  The school continued to thrive, was over-subscribed and delivered a quality learning experience but it was extremely challenging in the cramped conditions.

            The school had been a beneficiary of the Welsh Government Childcare Grant of £500k, leaving a shortfall of £800k to complete the necessary works.  With an expenditure deadline of 2021 to spend the Childcare Grant, it would again be expedient for the Council to bring forward its commitment made in the 21^st Century Schools programme to deliver the much needed remodelling in one project and achieve best value.

            Members thanked all officers involved in the work on the projects and welcomed the proposals.

            The Chief Executive added that they were both critical projects to which significant funding was attached through the 21^st Century Schools programme, Band B. Both he and the Corporate Finance Manager were comfortable with the proposals and the funding had been factored into the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and approval be given to the projects at Ysgol Brynford and Ysgol Croes Atti, Shotton to be included in the Capital Programme with costs apportioned over 2019/20 and 2020/21 funded by prudential borrowing and Welsh Government grant.  The associated revenue costs will be built into the Medium Term Financial Strategy from 2020/21 onwards.