Agenda item

The Executive Board considered the report on the Modernising Education Programme – Strategic Outline Programme – Band B Update which included the Programme of Projects, Band A progress to date, submission of Programme of Projects for Band B, information regarding funding and Mutual Investment Model (MIM).

The Executive Board Member for Education and Children confirmed that the Authority was in receipt of all of the Band B funding which equated to £129.5m in order to improve the schools throughout the County.

The Executive Board Member for Education and Children explained that the preparations for the national 21st Century Schools Programme commenced in 2010 through an invitation by the Welsh Government to local authorities to submit a Strategic Outline Programme. 

Since 2010 the Executive Board had approved an updated MEP three times in 2011, 2013 and 2015 and would continue to be monitored bi-annually. Following the initial submission process Carmarthenshire’s Band A programme which was funded 50% by grant from Welsh Government and 50% from the Council’s own resources.  The work for Band A was due to be completed by 2019.

The Executive Board Member for Education and Children reported that there had been some changes to the document since the production of the report and gave reference to Section 8, Application for Mutual Investment Model (MIM) funding. The Llandeilo and Ammanford Area Schemes have now been replaced with the Ysgol Gwenllian, Hendy and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman projects.  The Director of Education and Children further explained that this report had been presented to Welsh Government in July 2017 and confirmed that since then there had been an amendments relating to the offer for Llandeilo and Ammanford Primary Schools.  It was confirmed that both schemes would introduce a Welsh medium foundation phase with option at year 3 to choose a Welsh or English stream, subject to consultation.

Reference was made to Section 9 of the report, which provided Band B’s priority projects.  In response to a query raised regarding the plans to consult with school governors and staff, the Modernisation Services Manager stated that similar to Band A an informal consultation with school governors and staff would commence at the start of the programme and that a formal wider consultation would take place as part of the schools organisation process.

The Chief Executive stated that the programme would be carried out over the next 7 years and as timescales tighten, consultation with local members and the community would take place at specific points of the programme. 

The Director of Children and Education offered to organise a workshop for all Councillors to raise awareness of the plans and provide an opportunity for discussion.  Members of the Board agreed that a workshop would be beneficial.

RESOLVED:

11.1    that the report on Modernising Education Programme – Strategic Outline Programme – Band B Update be received;

11.2       that the recommendations received from Education and Children Scrutiny Committee held on 27^th November be noted;

11.3       that subject to the inclusion of the amendments, the updated Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) of the MEP including an updated prioritised programme for investment as part of Band B of the national 21st Century Schools programme be approved;

11.4       that the selection of Band B projects for further exploration under the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) be approved;

11.5       to approve funding arrangements for the Band B submission.