Agenda, decisions and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillor Sera Evans.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with

the Code of Conduct

Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter

that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal

interest: and

2. Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the

disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when

they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations

of interests were made pertaining to the agenda:

Councty Borough Councillor K Morgan – Personal interest- “I will contribute to the discussion but note vote on the item as I have spoken on the matter previously”

County Borough Councillor A Rogers- Personal interest- “I am a Governor of Rhigos and Hirwaun Primary Schools”

To consider the decision taken by Cabinet on the 18^th December 2023 on the Proposal to Close Rhigos Primary School with pupils transferring to Hirwaun Primary School

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications presented the report which outlined the procedure for the meeting, as set out in rule 17 of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules. The Service Director advised that a call-in request was received from County Borough Councillors S Trask, A Rogers and D Grehan within the prescribed timescales, on 21^st December 2023, which complied with the relevant criteria and considered valid by the proper officer. 

The call-in requested that the decision of Cabinet in respect of the proposal to close Rhigos Primary School with pupils transferring to Hirwaun Primary School, taken at its meeting held on the 18^th December 2023, be considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Service Director outlined the procedures for the meeting with the three signatories, who signed the call-in form, to address Committee first, setting out their reasons for requesting the call-in and why they consider the decision should be referred back to the decision maker for reconsideration. Secondly, the registered public speakers will have the opportunity to address Members before the Director of Education & Inclusion Services and Cabinet Member address the comments made by the speakers. Members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee will have the opportunity to consider the valid reasons set out in the report together with all contributions before voting on whether they consider whether the matter should be referred back to Cabinet.

It was confirmed that the nominated signatory, Councillor D Grehan, would make the final address before a roll call vote is taken on whether or not to refer the matter back to the relevant decision maker for reconsideration. It will be for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to clarify and summarise the Committee’s decision.

Councillor S Trask

Councillor Trask considered the decision contained within the report as out of date and incomplete. In his role as a family court Magistrate, Councillor Trask stated that he is often called upon to make decisions for other people’s children with all information available to him which he considered should be the case for the Local Authority. He commented that several matters have developed since the original report on the impact on the school closure such as the LEA response which indicates that transportation is only provided at the beginning and end of the school day. With a thriving breakfast club and one of the highest pupil attendances in the area, Councillor Trask feared that with unreliable public transport and limited options, especially in  emergencies, the rising cost of public transport (citing the cost of a return ticket from Rhigos to Hirwaun as £5.20 return) may be a barrier to families accessing the breakfast club and other before and after school programmes, impacting the educational experience and social development of many young children. He raised concerns regarding the charge for the additional childcare services also raises concerns for the equity and support for vulnerable families which is contrary to the strategic priority of the Director of Education & Inclusion Services.

Councillor Trask commented that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.