Issue - meetings

The Cabinet gave its approval to increase the budget for the project to significantly improve the buildings and site of Ysgol Tryfan in Bangor to address inflation costs and the general increase in building material costs since the original budget was established in 2018, realising this by transferring £1.96m from the Council's Asset Management Plan to cover the total projected costs for completing the project at Ysgol Tryfan.

The report was presented by Cllr Dewi Jones. ⁠

DECISION

The Cabinet granted approval to increasing the project's budget for making significant improvements to the buildings and site of Ysgol Tryfan in Bangor in order to address inflation costs and the general increase in building material costs since the original budget was established in 2018, to be realised by transferring £1.96m from the Council's Asset Management Plan to cover the total projected costs for completing the project at Ysgol Tryfan.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that a significant increase in costs had necessitated a re-examination of plans, and they forecast the need to increase the budget of this project to £23.6 million. It was noted that the Welsh Government was funding 65% of the cost of the scheme, which meant that Cyngor Gwynedd's contribution was an additional £1.96 million.

The scheme was referred to as an investment in the future of the County's children and young people, and in the Welsh language in Bangor.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that he had visited Ysgol Tryfan and had seen the need for investment. He drew attention to the damage done to the School during the recent storms, and the fact that scaffolding on the School buildings made it dangerous.   

The Local Member for Glyder Ward was welcomed to the meeting. She emphasised the importance of this investment to Welsh-medium secondary education in Bangor. She reiterated the words about the condition of the building and that they were old and fragile.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       A member queried how these developments would improve the learning experience for learners in the School. It was explained that the learning environment would improve by developing the quality and size of the classrooms, along with developmental sports provisions and an improvement to extra-curricular spaces in the School.

·       The members were assured that this was the most cost-effective way of completing the project.

·       It was noted that the aim with increasing the capacity of the School was to ensure a continuum of Welsh-medium education from primary to secondary for the children of the catchment area for years to come.

·       It was confirmed that all new buildings on the site would satisfy net zero carbon targets, in line with the requirements of the grant. Reducing the building's carbon emissions would also have to be taken into account with any alterations to the building.