Minutes:
Andrew Thomas outlined information relating to the statutory
objection period to the item which ran from 17th June 2021 to 14th
July 2021. A total of 297 written objections were received during the 28 day objection
period. A large number of emails were in the standardised format, namely 92 of
the 297 objections received were standardised email format. Andrew Thomas read
a copy of the email received. There were 35 objections received in relation to
the Welsh language, 13 of these were emails claiming that there would be a
detrimental impact on the Welsh language. None of the themes that came forward
in the objection report were different to those that came forward in the
consultation report.
Mr Thomas advised that when
reorganisation takes place in English medium education there is no
requirement under the School Organisation Code to undertake a Welsh Language
Impact Assessment. However it is recognised that the Swansea valley is an area
which is deemed to be linguistically sensitive. Therefore an assessment was
carried out.
Following Cabinet on 16th June 2021, an email was
received from Welsh Government on 25th June indicating that they had
concerns about the assessment undertaken by Neath Port Talbot in that it didn’t
explicitly address what linguistically sensitive means and, also that there was
insufficient mitigation. A meeting was requested with Welsh Government to
discuss this further. A meeting was undertaken on 27th July. On 9th
August an email from Welsh Government was received which advised that further
mitigation could be explored to mitigate the effect on neighbouring Welsh
medium schools and therefore the Welsh language. An agreement was reached to
appoint a Welsh Language Planning consultant to undertake further work over the
summer to further inform the Welsh Language impact assessment. The Terms of
Reference were agreed with Welsh Government. These included to define and
confirm the context of the meaning of linguistically sensitive, setting out the
principles for promoting and safeguarding the language in such an area,
consider how the principles could be applied to Pontardawe
within the context of the Swansea valley proposal and provide options around
mitigating actions to reduce negative impacts on the stability of the future
growth of the Welsh language in the short, medium and long term.
The draft report was received from Welsh Government on 18th
October. The report has been used to update Appendix K, NPT’s Welsh Language
Impact Assessment.
Andrew Thomas advised that there would be a couple of areas
within the draft report that they would like the opportunity to contest but
have not yet had the opportunity to do so. Mr Thomas went through two examples
of where this would be challenged, including funding for developing the Welsh
medium education in the Swansea valley and also comments pertaining to the
current provision of Welsh medium education.
Mr Thomas advised that all the mitigation items have been
included in the amended Welsh Language Impact Assessment and that these can be
cross referenced with the WESP (Welsh Education Strategic Plan) that has been
circulated. He further referenced the
capital schemes that have been and are currently in the process of being
applied for in relation to Welsh medium schools in the Swansea valley.
Members queried whether 21st Century funding can
be used on renovated buildings as well as to provide new buildings. Officers
confirmed that the funding can be used to enhance current buildings but the
funding cannot be used to fund existing repairs and maintenance required to
existing buildings. Officers referred to an existing school, Ystalyfera, which was mentioned in the objection report.
Officers advised that the £27million spent on this school included the
significant remodelling of the site and was not merely funding existing repairs
and maintenance.
Members were advised that a full explanation was given at
the consultation stage with regards to the various site options that were
considered, including a stand-alone school for Godre’graig.
However, when considered there was £3million more capital costs and
£0.5million/year ongoing revenue costs for this.
Members asked if they can be provided with the full Welsh
Government commissioned report. Officers advised that it is a report of Welsh
Government and permission was sought from them to reproduce and use sections of
the report and appropriate sections of the report have been used within the NPT
report.
Members were advised that when full business case approval
is received it is usually always granted with a raft of conditions. One of the
conditions refers to the completion of a satisfactory Welsh language
assessment. Officers suggested that this has now been satisfied due to the
mitigation brought forward by the Planning Consultant, which was the weakness
that Welsh Government had suggested was present in the earlier assessment.
Member queried what pupil numbers are the figures in the
report based on? A concern was expressed in order for the school to reach the
viable figures outlined in the report, pupil numbers would need to reach a
certain threshold. Officers advised that the school budget is based on a
formula including the number of pupils. Mr Thomas categorically stated that
there would be no further school closures in the Swansea valley, other than the
ones already indicated within the report. Projected school numbers in the
report are based upon the number of children who live within the catchment area
who could claim a place within the school, now and into the future.
Members advised that the full business case for the school
closures and the building of a new school was submitted before any consultation
with members of the public on the item. However, officers advised that when the
outline business case was submitted, this included options at that stage.
Members also sought confirmation with regards to whether Welsh Government were
satisfied with the response from the Welsh Language report.
Members recognised the circumstances imposed by COVID under
which these proposals have been brought forward. However, it was acknowledged
that when closures have been brought forward before public meetings have always
been held. However there is no legal requirement to do this. Members queried
why no virtual public meetings were held to discuss the proposed school
closures.
Officers outlined the consultation strategy that was
undertaken. It was acknowledged that everyone has received a response to their
comment on the consultation. Face to face consultation was carried out with the
school children and meetings were offered to the teachers of the affected
schools. Officers advised that they consulted in the manner that they thought
would best suit the community. Consultation on the proposals was held was 6 weeks
longer than required.
Officers advised that the authority has £1.2 million of its
own capital funds which it can spend on the patch and mend approach to schools.
It was confirmed that the statutory testing accounts for approximately a third
of this budget. Surveyors assess schools on a regular basis and it was
confirmed that repairs are then undertaken on a worst first basis in regards to
maintenance of the schools.
Concerns were expressed that the proposed site for the new school
is 5 miles away from Godre’graig and Ystalyfera. Officers confirmed that if the decision to move
ahead is taken then home to school transport will be provided.
Members recognised the broadness of education that can be
offered in a 21st Century School.
Members noted that the report provided is based upon 700
pupils attending the new school. However, currently the three schools combined
do not have this total number of pupils. Members queried what would happen if
the new school did not reach this number, would it continue to be financially
viable?
Officers advised that Welsh Government agreed the business
case on the numbers provided when the original outline permission was granted.
School numbers are based upon the number of pupils within the catchment area
that could claim a place within the school. The figure does not include those
pupils from Welsh medium schools. The schools must also be future proofed for a
predicted increase in pupil numbers.
Members queried the Welsh medium capital funding which was
applied for in 2018. Members asked why YGG Trebanos
was not put forward for this funding? Six schemes were
put forward and five schemes were successful. Officers advised that this was
most likely due to priorities in terms of pupil numbers and that they were
aware that Welsh medium capital funding would be available in the future. It
was noted that YGG Trebanos was recently put forward
for funding.
It was confirmed that Welsh Government commissioned their
own Welsh Language Impact Assessment and NPT agreed with the Terms of Reference
set for this assessment. Welsh Government determined that NPT had not
adequately considered the linguistic sensitivity of the area and included
enough mitigation measures should there be a detrimental impact. Officers
advised that it was a report designed to complement the Welsh Language Impact
Assessment carried out by NPT and it had successfully accomplished this.
Members referred to the Well Being of Future Generations Act
and well-being objective two. Officers advised that this was included as the
funding included 65% of the costs for the new leisure facilities alongside the
new school. Therefore, adults would benefit from this.
Members raised concerns about the access road into the new
site and its ability to safely serve the new development as well as the
existing facilities that the road services. Members queried what measures have
been proposed to mitigate factors concerning surrounding highway networks. The
outcome of the planned traffic impact assessment was considered and if this was
negative, members queried what would happen. These issues would be covered by
the planning system.
Traffic surveys have been undertaken and are being repeated
within the area. Whilst is was acknowledged that traffic levels were previously
reduced as a result of the pandemic, officers advised that most traffic levels
have now returned to pre-pandemic levels.
As part of any planning application the Education Department
would have to address what measures would be put in place to address any pinch
points. They would also need to submit a traffic impact assessment and a travel
plan which would include different modes of transport and the active travel
agenda. A road safety audit would also be undertaken to ensure all road users were
safe within the highway network. It was confirmed that these studies have not
yet been undertaken and the planning system falls outside the remit of the
report being considered at the meeting. Members expressed their concern about
the unknown costs of the surveys to be undertaken and any work that may result
from the outcome of the surveys.
Officers outlined the £22.7million total cost of the project
and were confident that this was a reasonable accurate assessment of the
overall cost of the project. Welsh Government would fund 65% of the cost, with
NPTCBC funding the remaining cost.
Members were advised that a road safety audit would be
undertaken at the site. This would be undertaken independent of the NPT highway
officers. The audit may identify requirements of a development in order to
address safety issues and may also identify comments to take into account in
terms of the operation of a facility moving forward. Officers are aware of
issues at other sites in the Borough, however these issues often relate to
behaviour by users of the highway. These issues can be taken into account as
part of the travel plan. Successful travel plans will drive down the use of
private vehicular traffic in the areas. Further if necessary, the Planning
Department can impose conditions on any consent relating to traffic regulations
order to ensure the safety of those at the site accessing the school are safe
when using the highway network.
Officers confirmed that should some pupils not attend the
proposed new school, there is some capacity in the Welsh medium schools to
accommodate the pupils.
It was acknowledged that there is a requirement as part of
the School Reorganisation Code when a school is reorganised that the authority
must conduct themselves in a certain way. There is a legal requirement to
consult. However, there is no legal requirement to consult concerning the pool
element of the proposals. The funding for the new pool is included within the
school package and Welsh Government are aware of this.
Members acknowledged that the new proposed school will have
a learning support centre attached. This will allow children with additional
learning needs to attend the same school as their siblings.
Members raised their concern about the current temporary accommodation
for Godre’graig Primary School.
Members queried the effects on bio-diversity. As part of a
planning application, bio-diversity is a key material consideration. A habitat
survey would be required to support any application. Any impact on bio-diversity
would have to be mitigated in a replacement scheme.
Officers outlined and confirmed how the proposals will have
a positive effect on well-being objective three.
A recorded vote was proposed and seconded and agreed in line with
required procedures.
The vote was
undertaken to determine which Members were for and against the recommendations
detailed in the circulated report. The results of the vote were as follows:
For: Cllrs M.Crowley, S.Miller, R.Mizen, S.Paddison, S.Penry, M.Protheroe, S.Rahaman, S.Renkes, S.Reynolds, D.Whitelock, R.Wood, A.Woolcock.
Against: Cllrs W.Griffiths, J.Hale, S.Harris, N.Hunt, S.Hunt, J.Jones, S.Knoyle, A.Llewelyn, R.Phillips, A.Richards, M.Spooner.
Abstain: M.Caddick
Following scrutiny,
the majority of the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered
by Cabinet.