Decision details

The Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation presented the report to members that updated them on the pressures on school places in the south of the County Borough, and for them to consider future planning and financial implications.

Members were advised that School places in the South of the County Borough have been carefully monitored over the last few years due to the number of housing developments being constructed in the locality, creating pressure on the capacity of schools in the area.

Members heard that the Council has taken action previously to alleviate the pressures by amending catchment boundaries and by providing additional accommodation on school sites to increase capacity. The Council continues to proactively manage the pressures and invest in schools through Band B of the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.

The Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation advised Cabinet that despite the interventions, capacity pressures at Y Pant School have become increasingly problematic. The considerable increase in housing developments in this area, as well as parents/carers making informed decisions to rent and purchase homes in the catchment areas of one of our highest performing schools, has placed undue pressure on school places at the school. The pressures have also been compounded through a recent catchment change made by the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation continued that there is a potential opportunity to increase the capacity at the school with relative ease, which would help alleviate pressures in the shorter term.

Officers in Corporate Estates have advised that that a simple 4-classroom block can be constructed at the rear of the school site, subject to gaining the relevant statutory consents, at an estimated cost of £900k. She added that it is also proposed that this block be designed and built to support the construction of another storey, at a later date, should demand for school places warrant this in the future.  As such, the relevant statutory consents were sought for a two-storey build to be constructed in two phases, which will future proof the capacity at Y Pant until a medium to long-term solution is found. The proposed expansion will create capacity for the short-term ensuring pupils within catchment can attend, thereby avoiding increased school admission appeals, higher school transport costs, increasing our carbon footprint and impacting on our pupils’ wellbeing. Without the additional capacity the Council will face significant challenges in meeting its statutory duty for the sufficiency of school places.

The Cabinet Member Education and Inclusion Services stated that there was unprecedented demand in the South of the County as a result of continued housing growth and recent changes in catchment areas and the plans in the report respond to that need.  at a school with an excellent reputation also allow strategic approach to development

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1. Note the recent changes that impact upon school places as detailed within the report.
2. Approve the measures required to manage the pressures in the short to medium term.

Approve the capital investment of circa £900k to build a new teaching block on Y Pant which can be funded from resources within the existing 3 year capital programme.