To inform Cabinet of the outcome of the feasibility study in respect of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School and to take forward Cynffig Comprehensive School as the preferred site for the replacement of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School and; seek approval to consult on a regulated alteration to Mynydd Cynffig Primary School in the form of a relocation of the school and an enlargement, effective from September 2018.  To obtain approval from Cabinet to present a report to Council proposing a revision to the capital programme for 2016-17 to 2019-20 to increase the budget for the proposed replacement of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support reported that Cabinet in December 2006 approved the 3 phase School Modernisation Programme and that one of the three elements of phase 2 of the of the programme is 3 – 18 learning provision in the Cefn Cribwr, Cornelly, Kenfig Hill and Pyle area.  She stated that Cabinet in October 2007 approved an options appraisal to determine how 3 – 18 learning education provision might best be organised to meet the future needs of learners in this area.  The options appraisal outlined a number of recommendations for the appropriate number of primary schools and their location with the main recommendation being the establishment of a programme of work for the area.  She stated that Cabinet in April 2009 approved a number of individual projects, one of which was 3 – 11 provision in the Kenfig Hill area and the development of a primary school to provide sufficient new or modernised accommodation to cater for a proposed amalgamation of the then Mynydd Cynffig Infant School and Mynydd Cynffig Junior School.  During the consultation, it was requested Cynffig Comprehensive School be further investigated as a potential site for 3 – 11 provision.  The Mynydd Cynffig Primary School project was put forward to the Welsh Government in Band A of the 21^st Century Schools Funding Programme and a feasibility study undertaken to determine the preferred site, which was that of the Junior School.  Consultation subsequently took place to close Mynydd Cynffig Infants School and to make a regulated alteration to Mynydd Cynffig Junior School by extending the age range from 7 - 11 to 3 – 11 with effect from 1 September 2015 operating on a split site. 

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support reported that the junior site is experiencing overcrowding and by contrast, Cynffig Comprehensive School has 416 surplus spaces.  She stated that a feasibility study had been conducted to examine two options for utilising accommodation at the Cynffig site for primary provision.  Evaluation workshops were held to determine the preferred option and to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the Cynffig Comprehensive School site or the junior site for replacement primary provision.  The Corporate Education and Family Support informed Cabinet that the study showed that Cynffig Comprehensive presents the most appropriate and beneficial location for the development of the primary school, allowing a 2 form entry school of projected growth in the area was realised and removing surplus spaces at the comprehensive school.  She stated that in comparison, the junior site presented serious obstacles for the development of a suitable scheme. 

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support reported that site access issues at the Cynffig Comprehensive site had been revisited and appropriate measures to ensure the safety of pedestrian, cycle and vehicular traffic through the industrial estate and Heol Mostyn have been identified.  She stated that Highway and Transportation Officers have confirmed that they would be satisfied for the Primary School to be located on the Comprehensive School site providing the mitigation works are undertaken.  

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support informed Cabinet that the cost of the proposed scheme at the Cynffig site is estimated to be £7.05 million, an increase of £2.55 million on the original approved scheme by the Welsh Government.  She stated that there was currently an allocation in the capital programme of £4.9 million for the new school and it was proposed to vire £150,000 from the School Modernisation Retentions budget, leaving a shortfall of £2 million.  The Strategic Outline Plan submitted to the Welsh Government has received approval in principle for additional match funding of £1 million, with the Council providing the remaining £1 million.  Council would be requested to make a change to the capital programme to reflect the new proposed costs £7.05 million.  The Corporate Director Education and Family Support informed Cabinet that relocating the Primary school allowed for the disposal of both Mynydd Cynffig Primary School sites and that there may be revenue savings arising from the transfer of the split site school onto the single site at Cynffig Comprehensive School.

The Deputy Leader in commending the proposals for the relocation and enlargement of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School stated that the proposals had been the subject of a detailed feasibility study and proposed highway improvement works to enable access through the industrial estate.  He stated that the proposal had the benefit of allowing for the disposal of both the primary school sites with the capital receipt being used as match funding.  He added that the location of the primary school at the secondary school site will enable enhanced continuing education when children are transitioning between phases and the primary school will be able to utilise the comprehensive school’s resources that would not be available at the junior school site, e.g. the comprehensive school’s indoor and outdoor facilties.   

RESOLVED:             That Cabinet:  

1.   approved Cynffig Comprehensive School site as the preferred location for an enlarged Mynydd Cynffig Primary School, and;

2.   approved the commencement of consultation on the proposal to relocate Mynydd Cynffig Primary School as a 2 form entry school plus 60 place nursery to the Cynffig Comprehensive School site with effect from September 2018.

approved that the revised capital programme be presented to Council to reflect the increased budget for the proposed replacement of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School.