Decision details

The report of the Head of Learning incorporating the combined Strategic Outline Case and Outline Business Case (SOC/OBC) for a new primary school instead of Ysgol Bodffordd and Ysgol Corn Hir was presented for the Executive’s consideration and approval. The report set out the strategic, economic, commercial, and financial and management grounds for the new school in line with the 21st Century Schools Business case process for capital funding for the project.

The Portfolio Member for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth reported that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 24 October, 2018 had considered the SOC/OBC for the new school and having sought clarification on points in relation to highway safety, affordability, contract terms, build scheduling and overruns, the Committee had endorsed the Strategic Outline Case and Outline Business Case with a recommendation to the Executive that it be submitted to Welsh Government. The Portfolio Member thanked the Scrutiny Committee for a constructive discussion on the matter.

The Head of Learning gave an overview of the SOC/BOC referring to the specifications for the new school and its status as a community asset, the estimated project costs, the processes followed for site evaluation and tendering and the proposed project plan and delivery timetable.

Councillor Dylan Rees, a Local Member and Vice-Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the Committee in considering the SOC/OBC had raised issues in relation to highways and parking sufficiency, traffic conditions and road safety in the vicinity of the new school site, adherence to timetables; ensuring that contractual terms are sufficiently robust to deliver value for money for the Council and continuing the dialogue with Bodffordd community in relation to the community resource at Ysgol Bodffordd.

With regard to the project’s affordability, the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer said that the extent of the savings which school modernising schemes deliver can vary depending on the number of schools closed as part of the process in a specific area. In this case the savings generated are not significant and the project will lead to additional costs to the Council. However the availability of a capital funding contribution by Welsh Government as part of the 21st Century Schools Programme provides a once only opportunity for the Authority to modernise its school stock bearing in mind also that it would otherwise have to fully fund the backlog maintenance costs at its schools which are substantial.

It was resolved –

•  To approve the combined Strategic Outline Case (SOC) and Outline Business Case (OBC) for the new primary school to replace Ysgol Bodffordd and Ysgol Corn Hir.

•  That the combined SOC/OBC be submitted to Welsh Government.

•  That capital receipts for the construction of the new primary school be ring- fenced, subject to no problems arising with selling the sites.