The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report informing Cabinet of the outcome of the published statutory notice in respect of the replacement Heronsbridge School and seeking approval to modify the implementation date of the proposal to the beginning of spring term 2026 and seeking approval to issue and publish a decision letter, as prescribed by the School Organisation Code 2018 (the Code).

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support provided a background to the proposal and explained that following Cabinet approval on 14 June 2022, the consultation report was published on the Council’s website and stakeholders were informed accordingly. The statutory notice closed on 27 July 2022 and no objections were received in respect of the proposal. He explained that an in-depth review of the delivery programme for the replacement school had been undertaken and advice had been received from internal and external consultants in this regard. Given the specialist nature of the school, sufficient time to undertake meaningful consultation with a structured programme of engagement with stakeholders, including the governing body, staff and pupils would be required. It was vital that the school and Health colleagues had input into this important stage of the process. Therefore, the proposed opening date for the replacement school should be modified to the beginning of the spring term 2026 in order to allow time within the programme for suitable stakeholder engagement to take place. He added that the local authority had consulted with Heronsbridge School’s Governing Body regarding the proposed modification, and the Chair had confirmed that the revised date was accepted but had stressed the importance of devoting the extra consultation period for engagement with stakeholders to ensure that the new building did the pupils and County Borough justice. The Chair advised that the governing body expected the best for their pupils, which began with detailed consultation with all stakeholders at the design stage before building work began.

Cabinet was now requested to consider the outcome of the statutory process and determine whether to implement the proposal. Cabinet could either decide to accept, reject, or modify the proposal.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support explained the financial implications as outlined in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Education thanked the Corporate Director Education and officers for the report. It was great news that this was moving forward in conjunction with the Head, the Governing Body and with parents and students alike.

The Leader added that the case for this was compelling and they desperately needed a much bigger school. They would ensure the design was of the highest quality and they would look at best practice across Wales. He had just visited Ty Hafan which had recently benefited from a modernisation and extension and there was a real opportunity to consider the environment they had created for children with complex needs.

The Cabinet Member for Communities requested that a visit be arranged for Cabinet to visit the current provision so that they could fully appreciate the shortfalls and ensure that the new provision met their needs.  

The Cabinet Member for Education confirmed that they were currently looking for a date to arrange a visit.

RESOLVED:      Cabinet:

 · noted the outcome of the published statutory notice to make regulated alterations to Heronsbridge School to increase the number of pupils for whom the school makes provision to 300 and to relocate the school from its current location at Ewenny Road, Bridgend to Island Farm, Bridgend;

· determined to modify the implementation date of the proposal to the beginning of spring term 2026; and

· gave approval to issue and publish a decision letter, as required by the Code.