The Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee met to consider an amended consultation document regarding proposals for Ysgol Bancffosfelen. The committee endorsed the amended consultation document for consideration by the Cabinet.

Modernising Education Programme: Consultation on Ysgol Bancffosfelen

The committee considered an amended consultation document concerning proposals for Ysgol Bancffosfelen. The original proposal to close the school and transfer pupils to Ysgol Pontyberem was discussed, with amendments made to the document following feedback from a previous meeting.

Councillor Liam Bowen, a member of the governing body for both Ysgol Bancffosfelen and Ysgol Pontyberem, declared an interest. Mari Hughes, representing the Church in Wales, also declared an interest regarding the impact on Ysgol Llandarog. Councillor Hefin Jones, Vice Chair of a federated governing body, declared an interest due to technical difficulties at the start of the meeting.

The amended document addressed several points raised previously. Concerns about the school's published capacity figure were discussed, with officers explaining that while the published figure was 98, the actual usable capacity was lower due to building condition. It was clarified that the report used the most recent formally published data for consistency.

References to school leadership, which had been a point of concern, were removed from the amended document. Officers explained this was in response to feedback received.

Clarification was sought regarding the reduction in estimated building-related costs and the status of previous discussions about demolition. Officers advised that demolition costs would be met from the capital maintenance budget, and that circumstances had changed since earlier discussions with the governing body.

A statement regarding the proposed expansion of Ysgol Pontyberem was queried to ensure it did not predetermine the outcome of the Ysgol Bancffosfelen consultation. Officers confirmed the expansion was being pursued independently through Welsh Government grant funding to address capacity pressures in the area and was not dependent on the Ysgol Bancffosfelen proposal.

The committee was assured that a link to the forthcoming Estyn inspection report would be included in the consultation documentation, along with parent and pupil versions. It was also noted that Estyn is a statutory stakeholder and would likely respond to the consultation.

Councillor Russell Sparks raised concerns about why Ysgol Bancffosfelen was chosen for review when other schools had higher surplus capacities and larger deficits. The Director of Education and Leisure confirmed that the minutes of both scrutiny meetings, including members' comments, would be submitted to Cabinet, and that a list of all schools, their numbers, and surplus capacities would be provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Jean Lewis sympathised with Councillor Liam Bowen's position as the local member, stating that questions raised should be answered transparently. The Chair, Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, reiterated that the meeting's purpose was to focus on the amended document and the changes made.

The committee discussed the relationship between the consultation on Ysgol Bancffosfelen and the proposed expansion of Ysgol Pontyberem, particularly in the event that grant funding for Ysgol Pontyberem was not secured. Officers explained that the processes would proceed concurrently and that timescales could be adjusted. They confirmed that if Welsh Government funding was not secured, funding would be made available from existing capital budgets.

Councillor Liam Bowen raised a question about a promise regarding the head teacher's job security in the soft federation with Ysgol Llanddarog. The Director of Education and Leisure confirmed he had met with local members and the headteacher to discuss the issue and was willing to meet with the governing body of Ysgol Llanddarog.

Following consideration of the amendments, the committee resolved to endorse the amended consultation document for consideration by the Cabinet. The document will now proceed to the Cabinet for further discussion. The Chair thanked officers for their work in amending the document and members for their participation.