Decision details

The Head of 21^st Century Schools reminded Members of the proposals agreed for Consultation at the Cabinet meeting on the 20^th September namely improving and increasing education provision in Hirwaun by investing in a new school for Hirwaun Primary School; and improving Welsh medium education provision by increasing the supply of places in the Upper Cynon Valley by making Penderyn Community Primary School, currently a dual language school, a Welsh medium Primary School. 

Members were referred to Appendix B of the report which provided details of the consultation responses received to the proposals following a detailed consultation which ran from the 1^st October to the 31^st December, 2018.  Members were advised of the engagement received with the consultation including open evenings at bothHirwaun Primary and Penderyn Community Primary School, consultation with the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee on the 19^th December and a late letter received from Vikki Howells AM.

At this juncture in the meeting, Councillor G Thomas spoke on this item to which officers responded.

The Cabinet Member, Education & Lifelong Learning thanked the local Member for his feedback and the officers for undertaking the necessary consultation.  She commented on the positive investment the proposals would provide with investment of £10.4m through the C21st Schools and Education Programme for a new school building for Hirwaun Primary School and welcomed the Estyn response that the proposals would provide a beneficial impact on the standard of education in the area. The Cabinet Member referenced the concerns raised during the consultation in respect of nursery admissions and referenced the proposed amendment to this proposal as outlined in 2.2 and 2.4 of the report following consideration of these concerns.

The Leader spoke positively of the proposals and the compelling reasons and figures highlighted within the report as to why the proposals should be taken forward for the benefits of the pupils and the educations provision available.  The Leader clarified the position in respect of Home to School Transport and the officers confirmed that  In catchment pupils (resident in the village of Penderyn and Rhondda Cynon Taf) attending the English medium stream of Penderyn Community Primary School would receive free transport to the new Hirwaun Primary School building as the walking route is deemed to be ‘unavailable’.

 Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the Consultation Report ( as attached to the report), which includes details of items of correspondence received during the consultation exercise and notes of the various meetings held.

2.    To note that the consultation report recommends that an amendment to the consultation proposals be made, which will allow new English medium admissions to Penderyn Community Primary School until such time that the change in category of Penderyn Community Primary School, from a dual language school to a Welsh medium school, comes into effect.

3.    That following consideration of the responses set out in the report to progress the proposals plus the amendment to the next stage of the review process by firstly agreeing to publish the Consultation Report, and secondly issuing an appropriate Statutory Notice two weeks after the Consultation Report is published.

4.    That the modified proposals are to:

·      create a new school for Hirwaun Primary School by September 2021;

·      change the category of Penderyn Community Primary School from a dual language school to a Welsh medium school from September 2021;

·      continue to allow new English medium admissions to Penderyn Community Primary School until such time that the change in category of Penderyn Community Primary School, from a dual language school to a Welsh medium school, comes into effect.

(N.B As referenced in Minute 104, County Borough Councillor G Thomas made a personal declaration in respect of this item.)