Agenda item

Implement the proposal issued on 4 September 2018 to close Ysgol Glanadda and Ysgol Babanod Coedmawr on 31 August 2020, and offer places to the pupils at Ysgol y Garnedd (subject to parental choice); and increase the capacity of Ysgol y Garnedd to 420 effective 1 September 2020.

RESOLVED

 

To implement the proposal issued on 4 May 2018 to close Ysgol Glanadda and Ysgol Babanod Coedmawr on 31 August 2020, and offer places to the pupils at Ysgol y Garnedd (subject to parental choice); and increase the capacity of Ysgol y Garnedd to 420 effective 1 September 2020.

 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted by Councillor Gareth Thomas.

 

 

Following an announcement from Welsh Government noting that there was an opportunity for Local Authorities to deliver additional projects within Band A of the 21st Century Schools Programme, Gwynedd succeeded to ensure a bid to reorganise primary schools in the Bangor catchment area. A report was submitted to Cabinet (January 2017) and the recommendation to hold discussions at a local level was approved as outlined in the report on reviewing primary school education provision in Bangor. In June 2017, a Catchment Review Panel was established to discuss a number of options which would improve and maintain the standard of education. The options were submitted to Cabinet in March 2018 and the recommendation to hold a statutory consultation on the process of reorganising primary schools was approved. A statutory consultation was held and 68 responses had been received; the main observations from that consultation had been submitted to Cabinet in July 2018. The Cabinet's decision at that meeting had been

 

To approve the proposal to close Ysgol Glanadda and Ysgol Babanod Coedmawr on 31 August 2020, and offer places to the pupils at Ysgol y Garnedd (subject to parental choice); and increase the capacity of Ysgol y Garnedd to 420.

 

To approve the issuing of statutory notices on the proposal in (i) above in accordance with the requirements of Section 48 of the Schools Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013.

 

Following the decision, in accordance with the Schools Standards and Organisation Act 2013, a statutory notice had been issued on 4 September 2018 and a statutory objection period on the proposal had been held (between 4/9/18 and 2/10/18).

 

It was highlighted that one objection had been received during the objection period which involved matters relating to transport, child safety, finance, education and the Welsh language. It was added that one piece of correspondence had arrived late in the day and that this correspondence needed to be addressed as part of the discussions.

 

The Cabinet was requested to support the proposal which would greatly improve education standards for Ysgol y Garnedd children together with Ysgol Glanadda and Ysgol Coedmawr children.

 

The objections were discussed.

 

In response to concerns regarding traffic on Penrhos Road, the Senior Property Manager (Corporate) noted that every attempt had been made to seek to mitigate the situation which was causing difficulties in the area in the mornings and afternoons. He noted that 30 additional parking spaces had been planned for staff and visitor parking together with a drop-off point which would be controlled off the highway. 

 

It was highlighted that a planning application for the development had been approved at the Planning Committee on 5.11.18 and traffic concerns had been discussed. It was noted that the Transportation Department was happy with the new combination of adaptations which would address the problems.

 

In response to traffic concerns during the construction phase, it was noted that every effort was being made to reduce any disruption to local residents. It was added that discussions had been held with the residents and some adaptations had been made to the plans. It was noted that a traffic control plan had been drawn up which would respect the considerations of local residents.

 

It was suggested that consideration could be given to the start and finish time of the five schools in the area, which would reduce traffic density. This would be a matter for the schools themselves to decide.

 

In response to a comment regarding footpaths, it was stated that an assessment had been carried out to find out where the pupils' homes were, and as a result the main footpaths to get to the school came from three different directions. Although there was no intention to change the footpaths, it was noted that work would be carried out to promote road safety with the children.

 

Despite the response, the Member for Dewi Ward noted that rumours of closing one of the footpaths for two years had caused great concern among local residents. The Senior Manager responded by noting that there were arrangements to close some of the footpaths temporarily (for approximately 8 weeks) but also that he was willing to discuss the matter with the Member.

 

Taking advantage of the right to speak the Local Member for Glyder Ward noted the following main points:

·         That she was completely supportive of the new school. She added that there was a great need for a new building and that she was very happy with the design.

·         She welcomed the observations of the Senior Property Manager about concerns regarding the public footpaths and his willingness to hold discussions locally.

·         Attention was drawn to the residents of Penrhos Avenue who had paid for a new road surface as the road had not been adopted by the Council. The Local Member wished to see these residents being fully compensated should any damage be caused to the road during the development phase.

·         That it would be possible to consider keeping Ysgol Glanadda open as there was an increase in the numbers and the school was under new leadership.

·         That parents of Ysgol y Garnedd had chosen Welsh-medium education for their children. She added that there was a special ethos in the school and that the Council's commitment and support was needed to protect the Welshness of the school.

·         That she was supportive of the plan, that it was an exciting period and that it was possible to resolve any issues together.

 

In response to a comment about protecting the Welsh language, the Cabinet Member for Education noted that every school in Gwynedd had the same language policy. With the strength of the language at Ysgol y Garnedd, it was noted that there was an opportunity to strengthen the Welsh language in Bangor and that the use of the Language Charter was an additional resource which would ensure social use of the Welsh language.

 

The Area Officer added that it was reasonable to expect to see more non-Welsh-speakers in the school and it was accepted that support work needed to be carried out in the short term. Nevertheless, it was reported that many non-Welsh-speaking children had attended Ysgol y Garnedd and succeeded.

 

In response to an observation regarding keeping Ysgol Glanadda open, the Area Officer noted that the financial situation of both schools was fragile and though the school appeared full the situation was not ideal or sustainable.

 

In response to the late correspondence received which highlighted concern that the response given to the linguistic concerns had not been based on facts, the Cabinet Member for Education noted that a linguistic assessment had been implemented as part of the process. He added that every child should have equal opportunities and Welsh-speaking children should not be kept separate. No child should be deprived of the opportunity to access a new building and new resources and children should not be treated differently on any basis.

 

Members were reminded that the proposal was a result of a long period of planning within a tight timescale and any delay with the decision would affect the period of releasing the money. It was added that statutory steps had been completed and should a consultation on another option be needed the process would have to be recommenced