Agenda item

To receive a verbal briefing on the proposal.

Councillors Bridgeman and Joyce reiterated their personal interest in this item on the basis that they are local Ward Councillors.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member, Education, Employment and Skills, and Nick Batchelar (Director, Education and Lifelong Learning) and Michele Duddridge Hossain (Operational Manager, School Organisational Planning) to the meeting.

The Chairperson invited Councillor Merry to make a statement in which she outlined the link between schools in the area; whilst there had been consultation previously about closing Glan yr Afon Primary School, it had now been decided that pupil numbers would be reduced rather than closing the school altogether.  The intention is to relocate St Mellons Primary School on to the St Edeyrns site and enlarge it; to expand to one form entry rather than a .5 form entry as it is currently.  As it will be located within the new housing development, there will be a Section 106 contribution.

Members of the Committee were provided with a briefing by the Director.  It is anticipated that there will be a potential federation between Glan yr Afon Primary School and another school, although this has not yet been confirmed.  The intention is to develop the early years and family support provision on the Glan yr Afon site; Flying Start are currently based there.  One of the potential barriers to that is the fact that part of the building cannot be used because of an underground oil spill that has come to light which will require consideration and some investment in the future.

The Committee were invited to comment, seek clarification or raise questions on the information received.  Those discussions were summarised as follows:

AGREED:  That the Chair writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.