Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Gareth Thomas
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
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
Awdur:Diane Jones
Supporting documents: