To consider a report by County Councillor Arwel Jones, Portfolio Holder for Education.
Minutes:
County Councillor John Brunt explained that he would be acting as a local member and would not vote on this matter.
The Portfolio Holder for Education outlined the consultation that had been undertaken in respect of the proposed closure of Llanbister CP School and Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School. He explained that having taken into account a projected rise in pupil numbers and significant travel time for some pupils, he was proposing to abandon his recommendation to Cabinet that Llanbister CP School close and would instead come back to Cabinet with draft recommendations by November 2016.
The Portfolio Holder for Education explained that he had taken account of the recommendation passed by Council on 8th September that Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School be allowed to federate with another school and was therefore proposing to abandon the proposal and to bring a new report back to Cabinet with draft recommendationsfor the school in accordance with the Schools Reorganisation Policy 2015, by no later than the end of November 2016.
County Councillor Hywel Lewis speaking as local Member for Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School thanked the Portfolio Holder for listening to Council and urged him to engage with the school to find a solution. He argued that the school was a model of successful collaboration and that there shouldn’t be any obstacle to federation.
County Councillor John Brunt speaking as local Member for Llanbister CP School welcomed the recommendation to abandon the proposal to close the school. He paid tribute the governors, parents and community for their campaign to save the school and he asked Cabinet to support the recommendation.
County Councillor David Jones, Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee reminded Cabinet of the Council’s policy to reduce surplus places and pointed out that both schools met the criteria for review. He questioned the evidence for rising pupil numbers and noted that the spend per pupil was over the Powys average and impacted all schools. He felt that nothing had come out of the consultation that persuaded him that the Cabinet should set aside the School Reorganisation Policy.
The Portfolio Holder answered questions from the Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee and the opposition group leaders. He advised that there were no plans to review the School Reorganisation Policy and that he felt it was only right for the Cabinet to take into account information that had come in during the consultation. He advised that another consultation would be required and confirmed that they would be engaging with schools and local stakeholders.
A number of Cabinet members expressed reservations over the proposals and advised that they expected the reports to come back in November to address the issues that had led to both schools being reviewed before they were persuaded to set aside the Schools Reorganisation Policy. The Portfolio Holder for Finance referred to the Cabinet’s decision to close Nantmel Church in Wales Primary School and the need to apply the policy consistently. Others felt it was right for the rurality of the area to be taken into consideration when considering the future of the schools.
RESOLVED |
Reason for Decision: |
1. To receive and consider the Consultation Reports in respect of the Proposals to close Llanbister C.P. School and Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. Schools
2. To abandon the Proposal in respect of Llanbister C.P. School and bring a new report back to Cabinet with draft recommendations for Llanbister C.P. School in accordance with the Schools Reorganisation Policy 2015, by no later than the end of November 2016.
3. To abandon the Proposal in respect of Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School and bring a new report back to Cabinet with draft recommendations for Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School in accordance with the Schools Reorganisation Policy 2015, by no later than the end of November 2016.
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To provide a sustainable model of primary education
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Supporting documents: