The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report informing Cabinet of the outcome of the consultation in respect of the

proposal to make regulated alterations to Heronsbridge School; presenting the findings of the consultation in a detailed Consultation Report

(Appendix A); and seeking approval to progress the publication of a statutory notice as prescribed in the School Organisation Code 2018 (the Code).

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support outlined the background to the report. He then explained that in order to progress the proposed regulated alterations to Heronsbridge School, consultation exercises were carried out between 4 April and 18 May 2022, in accordance with the statutory School Organisation Code 2018. The consultation document invited views and opinions to be submitted in respect of the proposal. A summary of the issues raised by consultees and the local authority’s responses were provided in the Consultation Report as detailed

in Appendix A of this report. Cabinet would need to consider the Consultation Report and determine the preferred way forward.

Should Cabinet wish to proceed with the proposal, the next stage of the

process would be to publish a statutory notice outlining the proposal which would need to be published for a period of 28 days. Any formal written objections would be invited during this time If there were no objections during the statutory notice period, then the proposal could be implemented with Cabinet’s approval. If there were objections at this statutory notice stage, an Objection Report would be published summarising the

objections and the local authority’s response to those objections. Cabinet would need to consider the proposal in light of any objections made. Cabinet could then accept, reject or modify the proposal.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support outlined the financial implications. 

The Cabinet member for Education was really excited about this project, a purpose built school with the aspiration to be the best in Wales. The Head teacher, parents and pupils were all very excited about getting a purpose- built building to give them the facilities that they needed.

The Leader said that it was very uplifting to read the consultation report and in particular the feedback received from students and the voice of the learner. Points raised early in the process had been addressed eg facilities for the daily mile walk, allotments and an orchard. The swimming pool would offer hydrotherapy and this would be a green school with solar panels and the highest level of insulation and heat pumps.

The Cabinet member for Education confirmed that if the proposal went ahead there would be no damage to hut 9 which was a protected building and there would be no detrimental impact on that site.

The Leader explained that the current building was also listed and protected by CADW.

RESOLVED:        Cabinet:

·      Noted the outcome of the consultation with prescribed consultees, as detailed in the attached Consultation Report and appendices;

·      Approved the Consultation Report (Appendix A) for publication; and

·      Authorised the publication of a statutory notice in respect of the proposal.