Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the modernisation of primary and secondary schools, and also primary and secondary schools sharing the same campus or 3-16/3-18 through schools;

·           To approve the Local Authority contribution of approximately £18 million towards the Band B programme;

·           To approve the options outlined in the Economic Case of the SOP, and to expect further detailed analysis in the subsequent detailed business case;

·           To continue to support the school modernisation programme’s case for change and the drivers for change.

The report of the Head of Learning was presented for consideration by the Executive.

The Portfolio Holder for Education apologized that a report had been submitted to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in error and minor amendments to that report was considered by the Scrutiny Committee.  He said that there is a requirement by Welsh Government for all Welsh Local Authorities to update their Band B proposals and submit their revised Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) by 31 July, 2017. 

The Head of Learning said that the Authority’s Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) was presented to the Welsh Government in December 2013.  The strategic paper was divided into 4 Bands namely Band A (2013-2019), Band B (2019-2022), Band C (2022-2025) and Band D (2025-2028); the original SOP (2013) factors such as demographic changes and leadership capacity have changed significantly. Additionally, Welsh Government has said that Band B will be for a period of 5 years and will run from 2019-2024.  She noted that due to the two primary schools in Llangefni being full to capacity, and the requirement to make changes to Ysgol Graig, the funding within Band A will not be sufficient to address all the requirements in the Llangefni area.   Welsh Government has instructed the Authority to include the Llangefni area within the SOP Band B.  The Head of Learning also said that the catchment area of Amlwch, Lligwy and Seiriol have been included within the SOP of Band B. 

The Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee said that discussions were undertaken at the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 26 June, 2016 and the Committee supported, in principle, that a bid for £18 million be submitted towards the Band B programme.  He further noted that consideration also needed to be taken as to the effect on local schools in the vicinity of the new Wylfa Newydd project.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the modernisation of primary and secondary schools, and also primary and secondary schools sharing the same campus or 3-16/3-18 through schools;

·           To approve the Local Authority contribution of approximately £18 million towards the Band B programme;

·           To approve the options outlined in the Economic Case of the SOP and to expect further detailed analysis in the subsequent detailed business case;

·           To continue to support the schools modernisation programme’s case for change and the drivers for change.