Agenda item

Report of the Director of Education Leisure and Lifelong Learning

1.    That having given due regard to the responses to consultation and the impact assessments in relation to equality, risk, community usage and Welsh language together with the legal implications, in line with Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, the statutory publication of a proposal to make arrangements for pupils who would otherwise attend Cymer Afan Comprehensive School to receive their secondary education at Ysgol Cwm Brombil and to close Cymer Afan Comprehensive, be approved.

2.    That the proposed date of implementation be 1 September 2019.

3.    That Notice of the proposal be published on 26 June 2018, allowing 28 days for receipt of objections.

The Chairperson thanked the Local Members present and all Officers involved in the consultation process.

Members expressed concern for children with additional learning needs, but acknowledged that this was addressed in the circulated report.  Officers highlighted that Dyffryn School (as proxy for Ysgol Cwm Brombil, yet to open) had a good record of supporting pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) and offered a wide range of support to pupils, the new Head Teacher at Ysgol Cwm Brombil also had a good understanding of pupil’s well-being.

It was noted that the Community Impact Assessment (CIA) had been carried out prior to the consultation, this recognised that community based activities currently being carried out in Cymer Afan School, could be distributed to alternative locations across the upper Afan Valley.

Members highlighted that a new school outside the Afan Valley could open up new experiences and opportunities for children living there, also specialist teaching may be available which pupils attending Cymer Afan may not have access to now.

Concerns were raised on the affect the closure of the school would have on the primary schools in the upper Afan Valley.  Officers confirmed that currently there were no plans to close the any of the primary schools in the upper Afan Valley.

The Officers explained that if a visit was requested, there was an opportunity for parents to visit Ysgol Cwm Brombil.

With reference to a previous meeting intended to discuss Health Service provision as part of a hub of service providers, the Chief Executive stated that if the Health Board was thinking of improving health facilities in the upper Afan Valley, this was matter for the Health Board to come forward with a plan for delivering the necessary health facilities and providing the appropriate accommodation, not the Local Authority. 

Members explained that this was about educating children not about the building, the benefits of 21^st Century education was shown on Paragraph 52, of the circulated report.

Members outlined there had been a long and extended consultation period lasting from 11 December 2017–14 February 2018.

Members highlighted that the work of the Neath Port Talbot Valleys’ Task Force was a vision and was not funded, the Authority was unable to deliver all objectives with Welsh funding decreasing.

Decision:

1.    That having given due regard to the responses to consultation and the impact assessments in relation to equality, risk, community usage and Welsh language together with the legal implications, in line with Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, the statutory publication of a proposal to make arrangements for pupils who would otherwise attend Cymer Afan Comprehensive School to receive their secondary education at Ysgol Cwm Brombil and to close Cymer Afan Comprehensive, be approved.

2.    That the proposed date of implementation be 1 September 2019.

3.    That Notice of the proposal be published on 26 June 2018, allowing 28 days for receipt of objections.

Reason for Decision:

This decision is necessary to comply with the formal publication

requirements of the School Organisation Code and associated

Legislation. A draft Statutory Notice was attached to the circulated report at Appendix I.  Implementation of the proposal will enable the Council to promote high educational standards and the fulfilment of every child’s potential. It will also enable the Council to meet its duty to secure efficient education in its area.

Implementation of Decision:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.