Agenda item

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Members questioned the position regarding catchment areas in the Cardiff West area and when they will be considered and expressed surprise that they had not been reviewed previously.  The Cabinet Member advised that Fitzalan High School has now reached what is considered to the best maximum size, Cantonian High School will be increased, Willows, Cathays and Cardiff High Schools are all subject to consultation.  There will be catchment area adjustments which is always difficult for parents.  There will never be perfect matching between school places and catchment areas. Band B is not a short term programme, it has to be reviewed continually. 

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Members asked about the decommissioning and disposal of  the olds sites when there are proposals for transferring schools to new sites and were advised that generally old buildings would be demolished if there were Health and Safety risks – they would be levelled, and at the point we may look at getting a Capital Receipt. In this context we may also look at considering for education use as a priority.  There has been no clear decision at the moment. They are not large sites but are close to other sites.  

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Members queried whether, with the introduction of ALN legislation, we are future proofing  ALN provision going forward.  Members were advised that following the consultation Riverbank is to be increased from 70 – 112.  It is necessary to coordinate long term provision and the project is being pushed as far as it can – but there may well be further proposals down the line.  It is not suggested that this will provide all of the additional places we require as a city. The size of the increase at Riverbank has been reduced for exactly that reason as the increase needs to be balanced with the size of the site.

The ALN review has underpinned the growth of the places in this proposals.  There are a number of pupil access proving out of county – we need to redress this but we have to ensure appropriate spectrum of provision.