AGENDA ITEM NO. 4(1)

CABINET 10TH JANUARY 2012SUBJECT: REPORT BY: CCBC 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, LIFELONG LEARNING & LEISURE

1. 1.1

PURPOSE OF REPORT To update Members on developments and to seek a recommendation to Council as to whether to proceed with Phase 1 of the St. Ilan Welsh Medium secondary proposal.

2. 2.1

LINKS TO STRATEGY The report links directly to the Education for Life, sustainability and regeneration strategies, particularly in the context of provision of modern fit for purpose teaching and learning environments.

3. 3.1

THE REPORT Council, at its meeting on 3 November 2011, agreed the submission of revised bid proposals for Band A (2014-2020) amounting to 92m as follows:Proposal Welsh Medium St. Ilan Rhymney 3-18. New primary build, plus improve community facilities Rationalisation of 13 secondary schools into 10 with further removal of places on school sites Total m 20 12 60 92

3.2

The Minister for Education and Skills made an announcement on Monday 5 December 2011. All Band A bids across the 22 Local Authorities have been supported, including our 92m bid outlined above. The period of Band A has now been extended from 6 years (2014-2020) to 7 years (2014-2021) to make these bids affordable. Members will be aware of the urgency to provide additional Welsh Medium secondary places with effect from September 2013. Cabinet at its meeting on 5 April 2011 (copy of Cabinet report attached) agreed to proceed with Phase 1 of the planned St. Ilan development at an estimated cost of 3.5m. This proposal did not initially proceed due to the 21st century schools programme being deferred by the Welsh Government. This would facilitate the admission of Year 7 pupils residing in the Caerphilly basin to St. Ilan with effect from September 2013.

3.3

3.4

3.5

Council on 3 November 2011 were advised that if additional Welsh Medium secondary places were not made available by September 2013 there would likely be circa 25 refusals in respect of Year 7 admissions to Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni. A similar number would likely be refused in September 2014 with this number likely to increase to circa 120 by September 2015. Given the urgency, approval is sought to commence work at St. Ilan to a maximum of 3.5m. To proceed with this proposal now could involve inherent risks to the Authority, namely: The Welsh Government has given no commitment as yet to funding any expenditure incurred prior to 1 April 2014. There is therefore the possibility that the planned investment of 3.5m would not secure 50/50 funding so potentially would have to be met fully by the Council, thereby leaving an overall funding shortfall, i.e. 1.75m WG funding may not be forthcoming and may have to be met by the Council. Officers have sought assurance from WG that given their outline approval and the urgency that this would not be the case. Advice is still awaited. However, in the event that WG refused the 1.75m match, this will be built into the overall funding of the programme over the 7 year period. Whilst the St. Ilan 11-16 facility can be established on a temporary basis, to secure it on a permanent arrangement would be subject to statutory processes which could ultimately be determined by the Welsh Government rather than by Cabinet, in the event of objections. This risk is mitigated to an extent by the fact that the Phoenix building would be suitable for the relocation of YGG Caerffili which would not require statutory processes.

3.6 3.7

4. 4.1

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Council at its meeting on 3 November 2011 agreed its 50% share towards the 92m bids as follows: Funding source Earmarked 21st century schools funding General fund Capital receipts Prudential borrowing (revenue savings school/education & leisure) Funding identified

10 4 27 5 46

4.2

As illustrated in 3.7 of the report, to now proceed with the St. Ilan development could result in the Welsh Government not supporting Phase 1 expenditure from the 21st century schools programme on a 50/50 basis, resulting in an overall funding shortfall of 1.75m. It is proposed that the 3.5m initial spend would be funded from the 4m General Fund outlined in the table above.

4.3

5. 5.1

PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS This will be considered as part of the consultation process.

6. 6.1

CONSULTATIONS As detailed below. All comments received have been reflected in the report.

7. 7.1

RECOMMENDATIONS Members approval is sought to recommend to Council to proceed with Phase 1 of the St. Ilan development at an estimated cost of 3.5m to permit Year 7 Caerphilly basin resident pupils to transfer to this facility from September 2013.

8. 8.1

REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS To secure sufficient Welsh Medium secondary places for September 2013.

9. 9.1

STATUTORY POWER Local Government Acts 1972 and 2003 School Standards & Framework Act 1998 The One Wales Agreement (June 2007) The Learning Country: Vision in to Action (2006) Skills that Work for Wales (July 2008) Transforming Education & Training Provision in Wales (September 2008) Learning & Skills (Wales) Measure (2009) Welsh Medium Education Strategy, Welsh Government (April 2010). Bleddyn Hopkins, Assistant Director (Our Schools Our Future 21st Century Schools) - E-mail: hopkib@caerphilly.gov.uk 21st Century schools Board Councillor P. Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Lifelong Learning & Leisure Nicole Scammell, Head of Corporate Finance Dan Perkins, Head of Legal Services

Author: Consultees:

Background Papers: 21st Century School files

Appendices: Appendix 1

Cabinet Report of 5th April 2011.

This recommendation is endorsed by Corporate Management Team.