Agenda item

“That Carmarthenshire Council:

- Notes that communities in Carmarthenshire are currently dealing with the biggest medical and financial crisis in recent years, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact families and businesses.
- Believes that it is not appropriate for school consultations on matters such as education provision to be carried out during the pandemic. 
- Calls on the Executive Board to halt all schools consultations, other than proposals to lower the starting age to 3, until the September term and to produce a report on the viability of Carmarthenshire schools, outlining any future school footprint changes.”

[NOTE: Councillors H.A.L. Evans, D. Price and A.D.T. Speake had earlier declared personal interests in this item and were not present during consideration thereof.  Cllrs. L.R. Bowen, K.V. Broom, C.A. Campbell, J.M. Charles, C.A. Davies, G. Davies, H.L. Davies, I.W. Davies, J.A. Davies, K. Davies, S.L. Davies, W.R.A. Davies, E. Dole, J.S. Edmunds, L.D. Evans, R.E. Evans, W.T. Evans, S.J.G. Gilasbey, T.M. Higgins, J.K. Howell, P.M. Hughes, P. Hughes Griffiths, D.M. Jenkins, A. James, J.D. James, R. James, G.H. John, B.W. Jones, C. Jones, D. Jones, G.R. Jones, H.I. Jones, A. Lenny, M.J.A. Lewis, K. Lloyd, K. Madge, S. Matthews, A.G. Morgan, S. Najmi, D. Nicholas, B.D.J. Phillips, J.S. Phillips, J.G. Prosser, B.A.L. Roberts, H.B. Shepardson, L.M. Stephens, B. Thomas, D. Thomas, E.G. Thomas, G.B. Thomas, G. Thomas, J. Tremlett, A. Vaughan Owen, D.E. Williams, D.T. Williams, J.E. Williams, had also declared their interest but remained in the meeting].

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Rob James:-

“That Carmarthenshire Council:

- Notes that communities in Carmarthenshire are currently dealing with the biggest medical and financial crisis in recent years, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact families and businesses.

- Believes that it is not appropriate for school consultations on matters such as education provision to be carried out during the pandemic.

- Calls on the Executive Board to halt all schools consultations, other than proposals to lower the starting age to 3, until the September term and to produce a report on the viability of Carmarthenshire schools, outlining any future school footprint changes.”

The motion was duly seconded.

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor G. Davies:

“That Carmarthenshire Council: 

·        Notes that communities in Carmarthenshire are currently dealing with the biggest medical and financial crisis in recent years, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact families and businesses 

·        Agrees that it is not appropriate for school consultations on matters such as education provision to be carried out during the pandemic in any instances which conflict with Labour Welsh Govt guidelines 

·        Will continue to monitor the viability of Carmarthenshire schools as required by Welsh Government, and take any necessary action following public consultation in an open and transparent manner.” 

The amendment was duly seconded.

The proposer and seconder of the Amendment were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission.

Statements were made in support of both the motion and the amendment. 

Council was advised that if the Amendment was carried it would become the substantive motion which, if supported, would be referred to the Executive Board.

Following a requisition by more than 10 members, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4, a recorded vote was taken with the votes casts being as follows:-

For the Amendment (43)

Councillors S.M. Allen, L. Bowen, C. Campbell, J.M. Charles, C.A. Davies,

G. Davies, H. L. Davies, I.W. Davies, J.A. Davies, K. Davies, T.A.J. Davies, W.R.A. Davies, E. Dole, D.C. Evans, L.D. Evans, W.T.E. Evans, A.D. Harries, C.J. Harris, J.K. Howell, P.M. Hughes, P. Hughes-Griffiths, A. James,

D.M. Jenkins, G. John, A.C. Jones, B.W. Jones, A. Lenny, M.J.A. Lewis,

A.G. Morgan, D. Nicholas, B.D.J. Phillips, J.S. Phillips, H.B. Shepardson,

L.M. Stephens, D. Thomas, E.G. Thomas, G. Thomas, G.B. Thomas,

J. Tremlett, A. Vaughan-Owen, D.E. Williams, D.T. Williams and J.E. Williams.

Against the Amendment (14)

Councillors S. Curry, R. Evans, T. Higgins, J.D. James, R. James, D. Jones,

G. Jones, H.I. Jones, K. Lloyd, K. Madge, S. Matthews, S. Najmi, J.G. Prosser and B. Thomas.        

Abstentions (6)

Councillors K.V. Broom, S. Davies, J.S. Edmunds, J. Jenkins, E. Morgan and B.A.L. Robert.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Substantive Motion be supported and referred to the Executive Board.