Decision details

The Service Director for 21St Century Schools and Transformation provided the Cabinet with an opportunity to consider the recommendations made by the temporary governing bodies in relation to the names for the new schools being created as a part of the greater Pontypridd school organisation proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language took the opportunity to thank officers for undertaking the non-statutory consultation and working with governing bodies, teachers, pupils and wider communities associated with the new school developments. The Cabinet Member noted that the recommended school names had been developed with the views and opinions of the pupils at the heart of each school

With the agreement of the Leader, County Borough Councillor C. Lisles spoke on this item.

In response to the Non-Committee Member’s comments, the Leader advised that officers would make note of the suggestions in terms of ensuring any future consultations are expanded to encourage more engagement but noted that there was a reasonable amount of engagement made. In terms of comments made around distinguishing whether adults or children made the comments, the Leader felt that the general figure showed that all views are recorded in the same way, regardless of who you are in the community.

The Leader informed the Cabinet that he had received an email from a Local Member who wished to support the new names for both the 3-16 school in Cilfynydd and the new Welsh Medium School in Rhydyfelin, as most of the teachers and pupils were in favour.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication informed Cabinet that due the previous deferment of this report at the February Cabinet Committee meeting, and the urgencies that had been created in terms of progressing these matters before the conclusion of the academic year in July, the approval of the Presiding Officer had been sought to exempt the item from call-in.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To agree to the name put forward by the temporary governing body of the new 3-16 School in Hawthorn, which is due to open in September 2024 – the name put forward is Ysgol Afon Wen;

2.    To agree to the name put forward by the temporary governing body of the new 3-16 School in Pontypridd, which is due to open in September 2024 – the name put forward is Ysgol Bro Taf; and

3.    To agree to the name put forward by the temporary governing body of the new Welsh Medium Primary School in Rhydyfelin, which is due to open in September 2024 – the name put forward is Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf.