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 on a 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 in the circulated report.
The three Ward Members
Cllr. S.Jones, Cllr. J.Jones and Cllr N.Davies were in attendance at the meeting
and addressed the Committee.
They stated that there were
many still unanswered questions. One question was what the future of the
facilities used by the Community was, as they were attached to the School and
there had been no discussion on the relocation of these or if they would
continue. Officers highlighted that one option would be to apply
for grant funding to continue with these activities and Officers were happy to
discuss this with Local Members.
They also asked what the
cost was for the demolition of the building and the removal of asbestos. Officers explained that once declared surplus to
requirements, the demolition would go out to tender. This would be in
consultation with the Local Members.
It
was asked what was being done in relation to the backlog on the maintenance
costs for feeder schools of approximately £3 million. It was noted that the
School maintenance falls under the responsibility of the Environment
department. It was explained that when buildings are in need of maintenance they
are managed on priority basis depending on which building is in need of repair
the most.
The
Ward Members asked what measures were in place to ensure that roads A4106 and
A463 were safe for the children to commute to the new schools as there were 62
accidents and 2 deaths recorded on those roads in the past. Officers
highlighted that all roads had risks, however, the Council has a robust
procedure in place to minimise those risks and to ensure children’s safety.
The
Ward Members also raised concern on the Health and wellbeing of the children as
there would be a reduction of family and study time, as their travel time would
be greater than other school children. Officers highlighted that many children
travel this amount of time to and from school; it was noted that some children
like it as they have time with their friends.
They
raised concern around Key stage 4 pupils and the disruption the move would
cause them. Officers highlighted that they would ensure that disruption is kept
to a minimum.
The
Ward Members asked whether there would be free transport to Maesteg
Comprehensive School. Officers highlighted that under the transport policy free transport
would be provided to Maesteg Comprehensive as it would be the nearest suitable
school for pupils. Transport would ... view the full minutes text for item 3.
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