Agenda item

To consider a report by County Councillor Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys.

Cabinet considered the responses received during the statutory consultation process on the proposal to close Ysgol Bro Cynllaith.

Based on the findings of the consultation, and further assessment of the options in accordance with the requirements of the School Organisation Code in terms of the Presumption Against Closure of Rural Schools, the advice of officers was that the Council should proceed with the proposal to close Ysgol Bro Cynllaith by publishing a Statutory Notice for the reasons set out in the report.

County Councillor Gwynfor Thomas, Chair of the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee presented the Committee’s recommendations which had been circulated to Cabinet in a supplementary agenda pack. He noted that the Committee had not received responses to the two recommendations previously submitted in September 2024. The Head of Transforming Education responded to the Committee’s recommendations. Formal written responses would be provided.

The local member, County Councillor Aled Davies expanded on the comments he had made which had been circulated to Cabinet in a supplementary agenda pack. He argued that the Cabinet should not be taking decisions without all the facts in respect of the catchment area, school transport, finance and the option for a link with Ysgol Llanfyllin. 

The Head of Transforming Education explained that the option of linking with Ysgol Llanfyllin had been looked at and ruled out as it did not address the issues of low pupil numbers, combined age classes, the high cost per pupil and because Ysgol Llanfyllin was in Estyn measures. She said that there were no concerns over the capacity of Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant which was the closest Powys school. The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer gave his opinion that the school transport policy was sound. The Deputy Head of Finance outlined the finances involved. There would be a saving of £121.7k if the school closed but a potential reduction of £66.2k in the Revenue Support Grant.

County Councillor Bryn Davies who wished to speak as a member in the neighbouring ward with Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant was unable to be so because of a fault with the translation system. The Chair decided to adjourn this item until the system was working.