The Committee chose to
scrutinise the following Cabinet items:
Cabinet Proposals
3.1 Strategic School
Improvement Programme - Future Of Secondary Education In The Upper Afan Valley
(Cllr.R.Mizen
re-affirmed his interest at this point and withdrew from the meeting)
(Cllr.D.Whitelock
re-affirmed his interest at this point and withdrew from the meeting)
Members
received information in relation to the proposal to make arrangements for
pupils who would otherwise attend Cymer Afan
Comprehensive School to receive their secondary education at a new build school
in Margam, Ysgol Cwm Brombil, and to close Cymer Afan
Comprehensive, as detailed within the circulated report.
It
was highlighted that a publication of the proposal provides a 28 day period for the
submission of objections to the proposal, therefore any responses that were
received in relation to the consultation would not be considered unless
re-submitted as part of the statutory objection process.
(Cllr.M.Ellis entered the meeting and declared his interest
at this point)
The three Ward Members were
in attendance at the meeting and addressed the Committee.
They highlighted their
disappointment in the proposal to close Cymer Afan
Comprehensive School and felt that questions that had been submitted during the
consultation period had not been answered. They went on to state that they
consider the proposal to be based around finance without having consideration
for the impact that the closure of the school would have on the community. It
was highlighted that other local areas of the community, such as the swimming
pool and community centre, have previously been closed and stated that it was
unfair to consider closing the school as well as the other facilities and to
consider the effect that this would have on the wider community.
Attention was drawn to the
level of deprivation within the Ward and the high level of need of the children
in the Afan Valley in relation to those in receipt of
Free School Meals (FSM), and Statements of Educational Need (SEN.) Due to these
additional needs the Ward Members stated that it is inevitable that the costs
of educating these pupils would be higher than average.
The Ward Members were
concerned about the amount of time allocated to study, sport and recreation and
family that the pupils would miss out on due to the amount of extra time that
would be spent travelling to and from the proposed new school site at Margam. Officers explained
that there are many pupils across the County Borough who already experience
similar travel times to and from school and do not seem to experience any
detriment.
Members asked for
assurances in relation to travelling in the cases of severe weather. It was
highlighted that stringent policies are already in place and it was reiterated
that safety is always the paramount consideration. Officers reassured Members
that the potential different weather situations in the Afan
Valley to the town areas has been taken in to consideration.
The school federation model
was discussed and Ward Members were concerned that ... view the full minutes text for item 3.