Executive approves schools closure consultation

Formal consultations will be held over the closure of two Anglesey primary schools, councillors have confirmed.
In a move that would see the pupils relocated to Llangefni, the £16m plans would see a new school built to replace the 69 pupil Ysgol Bodffordd and Ysgol Corn Hir with Ysgol y Graig expanded to welcome pupils from the existing 40 pupil Ysgol Talwrn.
Despite the authority already voting in favour of similar measures last year, May saw the council’s Executive rescind the previous decisions after threats of legal action were received.

This came after the former Chief Executive apologised to both members and ratepayers  after officers admitted a failure to meet Welsh Government guidelines in recommending the schools’ closure due to portions of the consultation process falling foul of the Schools Organisation Code.

But meeting in Llangefni on Monday, the decision making Executive voted in favour of new consultations despite strong opposition in both Bodffordd and Talwrn with campaigners from Cymdeithas yr Iaith also interrupting proceedings at ot one point.

Council officers, however, noted that they were happy with the current proposals after receiving legal advice.

Cllr Meirion Jones, the portfolio holder for education, described the school modernisation process as having been “challenging” but had allowed the authority to invest £22m in new school buildings for both current and future generations.

“I ask all stakeholders and all interested parties to take part in the consultation so that we get the best possible responses,” he added, stressing that no final decision had been made.

Rhys Hughes, the Director of Education, added that a number of alternative options had been considered before these proposals were put forward, but it was felt that the current reorganisation would achieve the most objectives including reducing the discrepancy in the average spend per pupil and securing fit for purpose buildings.

A promise was made, however, that talks would take place with the community to secure the future of Bodffordd’s Ganolfan community centre if the school were to close, and that transport would be available for pupils in Talwrn and Bodffordd to and from their new schools in Llangefni.

Despite the opposition elsewhere, there have long been calls for a new facility to replace Ysgol Corn Hir which is over capacity and housed in a building described as a “ticking time bomb.”

Addressing a scrutiny committee meeting to discuss the plans last week, Corn Hir governor Dafydd Jones said it is “overflowing” and based in a “not fit for purpose building,” adding that further delay was “not an option.”

A new £10m school near Corn Hir and the £6m expansion of Ysgol y Graig, would be financed 50/50 by the council and Welsh Government via the 21st century schools programme.
The council’s investment would be via a 50 year loan, which officers say would eliminate backlog maintenance and generate ongoing savings.
The leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, concluded: “Ysgol Talwrn hasn’t been named on the list of rural schools as part of the code, but deserves to be treated in the same way as the others.
“It’s important that we look at every school fairly during the process but shouldn’t lose sight that we are talking about the future of children’s education here.”

A final decision is expected in March, following the six week consultation.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter