Agenda item

To present the report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People which sought the committee’s views on the proposal  to relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi learners to a new school building for 11-18 year old learners and conduct a statutory consultation was presented for consideration.

Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language presented the report and the proposal as an exciting prospect for both Holyhead and the Island.  He highlighted the condition of the Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi building which although operational, requires major repairs or replacement in the short to medium term. The presence of RAAC in much of the school buildings means the situation needs to be addressed in the short term. While remedial work has been carried out to make the school safe, a long-term solution is essential. The proposal paper sets out the outcome of work to explore a range of potential future options for Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi and has been drafted in accordance with the expectations of the revised School Organisation Code (011/2018).  Given that the requirements on schools have evolved significantly in recent years the proposal to relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to a new school building is considered the most effective solution to address the challenges facing the school. The committee is therefore asked to support the proposal and the commencement of a statutory consultation on the matter.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People provided an overview of the proposal paper affirming that it complies with the revised School Organisation Code and aligns with the Council’s commitment to improving schools and creating  modern learning environments that support communities and the Welsh language. The proposal involves relocating Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi learners to a new school specifically designed for the 11- 18 age range with capacity for 900 pupils. In developing the proposal the Council considered a number of factors as outlined in the paper with the primary driver being the condition of the current school building - classified as Grade C (operational but in need of major repair or replacement in the short to medium term). The current and projected future maintenance costs for the existing school building amount to nearly £29m. While a range of alternative options for the future of Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi were considered, as detailed in section 6 of the report, relocating the school’s learners to a new purpose built school for 11-18 year olds is the preferred option. The cost implications are set out in section 7 of the report.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People described the proposal as an opportunity to establish a modern, fit -for-purpose school while addressing the challenges facing Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, particularly the RAAC issue. Additionally the proposal has the potential to generate  long-term savings in repair and maintenance costs over the next 25 years. It also aligns with the objectives of the Strategic Outline Plan. Under the revised School Organisation Code, relocating a school to a site more than a mile away from the current site is considered a regulated alteration. This requires  a statutory process to gather and consider the views of learners and stakeholders before a final decision is made. The committee is asked to support the proposed course of action.

The committee welcomed the proposed new building for Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi as an exciting development and in its subsequent discussion on the proposal paper it raised the following matters for further clarification –

·      Members sought assurance that the proposal paper fully complies with the revised School Organisation Code (011/208).

The Corporate Planning, Performance and Programme Manager confirmed that the proposal paper has been drafted in accordance with the Code’s requirements which clearly set out Welsh Government’s expectations regarding the contents and he expressed confidence in its compliance. Additionally, the proposal paper has undergone review by external legal advisors whose input is reflected in the final document.

·      Members  enquired about the potential challenges and risks of not implementing the proposal and whether Officers are satisfied that it meets the current and future needs of secondary education in the Holyhead area. Hopes were expressed that the scheme if approved, might be completed before 2030.

The Council Leader acknowledged  that one of the main challenges has been completing the documentation in line with the revised School Organisation Code and Welsh Government requirements. He emphasised the importance of establishing a high quality secondary school for Holyhead and assured the committee that based on the available information including demographics and primary school pupil enrolment data,  the Executive is confident that the proposal meets both the current and future secondary education needs of Holyhead. He also affirmed that the work underpinning the proposal is robust.

The Chief Executive confirmed that the preparatory work had been thorough. He noted that while the Council Leader had discussed the possibility of shortening the process with  the Minister for Education, this was not feasible. He assured the committee  that the Council is proceeding as swiftly as possible within the guidelines -  not only to expedite  the process but also to minimise the risk of the school deteriorating further, despite the significant work undertaken to make the school safe. 

·      Members sought assurance on the proposal’s affordability and the availability of a contingency budget if the process exceeds the projected five years. They also questioned  land acquisition and the Council’s confidence in securing the identified site.

The Chief Executive confirmed ongoing discussions to acquire the land, noting that  several sites were considered with the challenge of meeting the space required for a new secondary school (19 acres approximately). He clarified that the £65.9m cost of the proposal excludes land procurement. 

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer advised that cost estimates align with Welsh Government guidelines and figures and include reserve funds. The costs  depend on whether the scheme follows the capital funding route or the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) where private partners build and maintain public assets and the  Welsh Government pays a fee covering construction, maintenance and financing costs. At the end of the contract the asset transfers to public ownership. Under MIM, the Council would pay the private partner a fixed  fee for use of the school over 25 years, thereby shifting the cost risks to the private partner. Regarding affordability, the Section 151 Officer acknowledged the proposal represents a major investment. Both funding routes incur additional costs  – around  £1m annually for MIM and a similar amount for loan repayment under capital funding. The difference lies in the repayment periods:  25 years for the MIM contract and 60 years for capital borrowing. If the Council should decide to maintain  the status quo, refurbishing the existing Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi building would require an investment of around £30m, borrowed over a shorter 20 year term because of the building’s age, costing between £1.4m to £2.3m per annum. A new school however would lower maintenance costs and could potentially attract pupils who might otherwise choose to attend schools on the mainland. This would lead to a better funding settlement for the Council which would help contribute to the additional costs. The Section 151 Officer further confirmed that the Welsh Government funding contribution excludes land acquisition costs for new schools.

·      Members raised concerns about the potential impact of such a large site  on other provision which might need to be funded in future on another site.

The Chief executive clarified that the land requirement aligns with guidance for the planned school size. While opportunities to integrate may be possible further assessment is required to determine feasibility,  benefits and costs which are likely to add to the overall expense.  The proposal does not entail any reduction in service level or provision.

·      Members asked whether redevelopment costs for the existing school site had been considered and if it could be used for social housing.

The committee was informed that the site is valued at approximately £700k which would contribute towards the cost of building the new school. Under Council protocol, decommissioned school buildings are transferred to the Property Department and initially offered to other Council departments. The Housing Service would assess its suitability for social housing  based on local need for a site of that size. If no department expresses an interest, the site would be marketed. The Chief Executive noted that if the statutory consultation process leads to a new school, the five year timeline allows the site’s future to be evaluated as part of formulating the new local development plan, assessing the housing needs in Holyhead and the classification of the site over the next thirty years.

·      Members sought assurance that the proposal will help the Council fulfil the Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People explained that section 4 of the proposal paper outlines how the proposal  addresses various strategic aspects. Implementing the proposal would support the ongoing improvement trend against outcomes 3 to 7 of the Council’s Welsh In Education Strategic Plan. Responding to further questions on capacity he expressed confidence that based on the demographic trend analysis undertaken, the planned school size can meet demand even if more than the current 57.5%  of catchment area pupils wish to attend.

·      Members queried whether the proposed new secondary school would have an impact on other secondary schools.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People clarified that the proposal involves relocating the existing Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi  to a new building rather than establishing a new school. While parents can express a preference for their child’s  school, admission depends on each school’s admission number and criteria.

·      Members also enquired about the proposed school site’s impact on transportation.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People explained that travel arrangements are covered in section 4.12 of the proposal paper. If the proposal is accepted, active travel plans will be reviewed and prepared in line with the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013  once the new site is determined.

·      Local Members raised concerns regarding the future of the Millbank playing fields should Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi relocate to a new site. They also enquired  whether part of the current school site could be designated to improve parking at Ysgol Cybi.

The Chief Executive explained that he understood that the Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi site includes both the land on which the school building is situated and the playing field and that the latter is protected by a covenant requiring a separate legal process and justification for any changes. If the proposal is implemented, the playing field’s long-term sustainability will need to be addressed, either with the Council’s involvement or through a community interest group or independent social enterprise. He  emphasised that no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the current  school site and playing field. The proposal focuses solely on the intent to relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to a new building on another site, with any plans for the existing site subject to a separate decision- making process and land use considerations.

The Chair concluded the discussion by emphasising that the education and wellbeing of children and young people is of paramount importance. He also highlighted the importance of the Council seeking the views and opinions of parents, pupils and schools and working collaboratively with them to achieve a successful outcome.

Following detailed review of the proposal paper and comprehensive discussion, and having accepted the assurances provided on the matters raised, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee resolved to recommend the proposal paper and the following proposal to the Executive for approval –

·         To “Relocate Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi learners to a new school building for 11-18 year old learners”, and

·         Authorise Officers to undertake the necessary statutory consultation.