Agenda item

Urgent Items

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Mayor pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Leader of Council made a brief statement in relation to the issues surrounding the closure of God’re Graig Primary School.  A preliminary survey on the quarry above the school had indicated that there was a medium risk to the school.  As a result the Leader of Council had taken the decision to immediately close the building and letters had been issued to all parents to the effect.  Staff had also been briefed in relation to the risk. 

 

The Leader confirmed that the pupils would not be attending the school in September and that a further survey had been commissioned, which would take six to nine months.  It was noted that the initial survey related to the school only but that this would be extended to include the nearby houses.

 

He confirmed that contrary to the views of some of the public, this was not a ‘back door’ way of closing the school and that the welfare and safety of the children were paramount.  Officers were looking at alternative accommodation for both pupils and staff in time for the autumn term.  A meeting of the school governors had been held on 16 July and thereafter a public meeting was called. 

 

The Authority’s website now had a dedicated page on which the draft report and copies of the letters issued had been published.  This would be kept up to date going forward.

 

In relation to the surrounding residential area, the Leader confirmed that communication would be maintained and once any further news had become available a further public meeting would be called.