The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support presented a report which sought approval to submit a revised Band B Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) to Welsh Government which substitutes the Bridgend South East scheme with a replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School (2 form entry plus nursery). He also sought approval of Cabinet for an options appraisal and feasibility study to be conducted for a replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School.

The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support explained that in October 2017, Cabinet approved Bridgend’s Band B priorities, which included a 2.5-form entry school plus nursery for the Bridgend South East area of the county borough. At that time, Cabinet also agreed for further feasibility work to be undertaken for a replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School which, depending on the outcome and available funding, could be delivered as a priority scheme in Band C.

He added that subsequent Cabinet approval was received in January 2020, to undertake a feasibility study for a 2-form entry dual-stream school plus nursery (i.e. Welsh and English-medium provision) at the proposed Parc Afon Ewenni development site.

The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support explained that in November 2019, the Mynydd Cynffig Primary School’s infant site suffered a catastrophic failure of its heating system and the repair forced the school to close for three weeks. Pupils and staff were temporarily decanted to neighbouring schools in order for teaching and learning to continue. A building condition survey which was undertaken during the above closure period reduced the condition of the school from its previous condition, that is, “C” to a category “D”. He added that it was decided on 13 March 2020 that the school be closed and alternative teaching accommodation be provided as a matter of urgency.

The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support stated that scheme for the provision of temporary classrooms was tendered via a mini competition of Lot 11 of the South East Wales Schools Capital Procurement Framework (SEWSCAP 3). The submissions were evaluated to establish the most economically advantageous tender. Further background was provided at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support added that Welsh Government officials had confirmed that the revised SOP, which rebalances the programme between the North East and South East (as detailed in paragraph 3.9 of this report), had been considered by the capital panel. The panel had recommended that the Minister approves the revision. However, official confirmation of the Ministerial decision was yet to be received.

He added that Tender award for the purchase of the temporary accommodation for the infants site of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School was being progressed. Although there was a significant financial commitment for the supply of accommodation, the overarching concerns regarding the primary school occupying two separate sites, plus the size of the junior building remains.

The Corporate Director – Education and Family Support outlined the Wellbeing and future generations (Wales) Act 2015 implications as well as the Financial Implications as listed in sections 6 and 7 of the report.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration noted that the need for this was as a consequence of an emergency and that it did not replace the idea of a dual Welsh/English school at Parc Afon Ewenni and will be coinciding with the timings of Band C school. The commitment for bilingualism would continue to be a priority.

The Leader added that different ways of ensuring the Council’s commitment and delivery of welsh medium education are being considered.  He stated that this emergency was necessary to act on as the site at Mynydd Cynffig had failed and therefore a permanent solution needed to be made.  He praised the headteacher, governing body and teachers at the school for providing high quality teaching, it was the Council’s duty to provide the school with the facilities they need.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

• gave approval to submit a revised Band B SOP to WG which substitutes the Bridgend South East scheme with a replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School (2 form entry plus nursery); and

gave approval for an options appraisal and feasibility study to be conducted for a replacement Mynydd Cynffig Primary School.