Issue - meetings
Meeting: 21/10/2021 - Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee (Item 5)
5 CABINET DECISION - 28-09-21 - ITEM 8 - YSGOL ABERSOCH 
PDF 312 KB
To consider
the report of the Head of Democratic Services
Additional documents:
- Item 5 - Appendix 1 - Education Department's Response, item 5
PDF 256 KB
- Item 5 - Appendix 2 - Cabinet Decision Notice, item 5
PDF 14 KB
- Item 5 - Appendix 3 - Report to Cabinet, item 5
PDF 404 KB
- Item 5 - Appendix 3.1 - Analysis of Objection Comments, item 5
PDF 2 MB
- Item 5 - Appendix 3.2 - Statutory Notice, item 5
PDF 443 KB
- Item 5 - Appendix 3.3 - Equality and Wellbeing Assessments, item 5
PDF 917 KB
- Webcast for CABINET DECISION - 28-09-21 - ITEM 8 - YSGOL ABERSOCH
Decision:
That the
scrutiny committee refers the matter back to the Cabinet for reconsideration on
the grounds that a sufficient response had not been received to the second
reason for calling in, namely:-
"2.
The report does not take future Housing and Employment that would come into
force in the Village into consideration.
(a) A
new development to construct a new hotel that would create a minimum of 40
full-time posts in the area – employees and their families would need
resources, including education for our children.
(b)
Welsh Government, Gwynedd Council's Housing and Property Department and a
Housing Association (which owns land in the village) are currently exploring
the potential to construct more homes – Welsh Government has stated that a
grant is available to develop this land to potentially construct 15 homes.
The
Housing Association has confirmed that plans have already been drawn up for the
Bryn Garmon site.
There is
no mention in the report of the new plan by the Housing and Property Department
and nothing about the developments underway in the Village and therefore, by
not doing so, the Education Department has not responded to the requirements of
the Well-being of Future Generations Act."
Minutes:
The
report of the Head of Democracy Service was submitted noting that the following
decision had been called in for scrutiny in accordance with Section 7.25 of the
Council's Constitution:-
Item 8:
Ysgol Abersoch, Cabinet meeting 28.9.21
"To finally confirm the proposal issued
through statutory notice to close Ysgol Abersoch on 31 December 2021, and to
provide a place for the pupils at Ysgol Sarn Bach from 1 January 2022 in
accordance with Section 53 of the School Standards and Organisation Act (Wales)
2013 and the requirements of the School Organisation Code 011/2018."
The Chair
explained that a request had been made to call in the decision for scrutiny, by
Councillors Alwyn Gruffydd, Elwyn Jones and herself, within the necessary
requirements and timeframe.
It was
noted that the reasons for calling in, namely the aspects of the decision that
it was considered should be scrutinised, and that were within Constitutional
requirements, had been noted as follows:
“1. The Report is inaccurate and misleading in terms of the
impact on the community, for example, the Welsh language and culture - it
states that there is no impact on the language in the table on page 714.
2. The Report does not take into
account future Housing and Employment that will take effect in the village.
(a) There is a new development to construct
a new hotel that would create a minimum of 40 full-time posts in the area -
employees and their families would need resources, including education for our
children.
(b) Welsh Government, Gwynedd
Council's Housing and Property Department and a Housing Association (which owns
land in the village) are currently exploring the potential to construct more
houses - Welsh Government has stated that a grant is available to develop this
land to potentially construct 15 houses.
The Housing Association has confirmed
that plans have already been drawn up for the Bryn Garmon site.
There is no mention in the report
of the new plan by the Housing and Property Department and nothing about the
developments underway in the village and therefore, by not doing so, the Education
Department has not responded to the requirements of the Well-being of Future
Generations Act.
3. Concern has been expressed in
relation to the footpath between Abersoch and Sarn Bach; the Education
Department stated that contact had been made with the Highways Department but
nothing definite has been submitted in terms of resolving this risk which
places pupils in danger. The Education Department mentions transport
arrangements which will inevitably have an effect on climate and is a poor
example to the children of how the Council considers climate impact.
4. One child is ineligible for the
offer of transport due to age policies - in future, when the number of children
increases as a result of (a) and (b), it is likely that other children will be
refused this transport and, therefore, suffer in terms of their education.
5. The decision is to close the school in the middle of the academic year ... view the full minutes text for item 5
Meeting: 28/09/2021 - The Cabinet (Item 8)
Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr. Cemlyn Williams
Additional documents:
- Item 8 Appendix A - analysis of objection comments Ysgol Abersoch, item 8
PDF 2 MB
- Item 8 - Appendix B - Statutory Notice Abersoch, item 8
PDF 443 KB
- Item 8 - Appendix C - Equality and Well-being Assessments, item 8
PDF 917 KB
- Webcast for YSGOL ABERSOCH
Decision:
To finally confirm the proposal
issued through statutory notice to close Ysgol Abersoch on 31 December 2021,
and to provide a place for the pupils at Ysgol Sarn Bach from 1 January 2022 in
accordance with Section 53 of the School Standards and Organisation Act (Wales)
2013 and the requirements of the School Organisation Code 011/2018.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Cllr Cemlyn Williams.
RESOLVED
To finally confirm the proposal issued through statutory notice to close
Ysgol Abersoch on 31 December 2021, and to provide a place for the pupils at
Ysgol Sarn Bach from 1 January 2022 in accordance with Section 53 of the School
Standards and Organisation Act (Wales) 2013 and the requirements of the School
Organisation Code 011/2018.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted and it was
expressed that this report was the peak of a process that had taken some years.
It was highlighted that two years had passed since the Cabinet had agreed to
enter into discussions with the governing body.
It was explained that low, consistent and vulnerable numbers at the
school were the grounds of the concerns that had led to this report. It was
explained today that the purpose of the report was for the Cabinet to consider
the objections that had been received before deciding whether the school would
need to be closed and for a place to be provided for the pupils at Ysgol Sarn
Bach.
It was emphasised that the decision being discussed
was not an easy one and it was highlighted that it had been a difficult time
for everyone associated with the school and gratitude was expressed to everyone
who had contributed to the discussion. It was explained that the Cabinet Member
had received a request to visit the school but that he had attended the school
previously as a part of the initial discussions, however, it was not the
building that was behind the recommendation, but rather the challenges facing
the school. Reference was made to some objections that questioned the Council's
decision and whether a fair hearing had been offered. It was emphasised that
there were no grounds to these concerns and that matters had been weighed up
objectively before any decision had been made.
The Head of Department provided some
background to the item. It was expressed that a decision had been made on the
Statutory Notice to close the school in June 2021, but that the discussions had
commenced after September 2019. It was explained that three meetings had been
held with the governing body between October and January 2020, discussing the
potential options for the school. In September 2020, the Cabinet resolved to
undertake a statutory consultation process on the proposal to close Ysgol
Abersoch. The decision was confirmed on 3 November after the original decision
was called in and referred back to the Cabinet by the Education and Economy
Scrutiny Committee.
The main challenges facing the school, which led to the review, were highlighted. It was explained that pupil numbers had reduced consistently since 2016 and was now in a vulnerable position. It was expressed that the school, as a result, faced increasing budgetary pressures. It was highlighted that all of the children were taught in one classroom, and that 21 children from within the catchment area attended other schools, with 5 pupils attending the school from outside ... view the full minutes text for item 8
Awdur: Gwern ap Rhisiart