It is our understanding that there has been a large increase in materials and labour costs since the pandemic, with significant implications for your capital programme inc Modernisation Education Programme. Can you confirm whether all the school proposals in last years budget will be progressed as originally planned?
Minutes:
“It is our understanding that there has been a large increase in materials and labour costs since the pandemic, with significant implications for your capital programme inc Modernisation Education Programme. Can you confirm whether all the school proposals in last year’s budget will be progressed as originally planned?”
Response by Councillor Glynog Davies – Cabinet Member for Education & Children:-
“As you all know quite a lot of this was highlighted in our discussion yesterday on the education budget and the review of the MEP programme was also mentioned. The MEP as part of the wider Council budget is monitored and reviewed continually and this is essential. It is important that we as the Cabinet are able to scrutinise our projects and the budget. This programme is extremely important to us and we work well with the government in Cardiff to build schools and recently three new schools were opened namely Rhys Pritchard, Llandovery, Llangadog and Pum Heol. New buildings that are suitable and sustainable accommodation for our learners. Our children in Carmarthenshire deserve this, they deserve the best.
However, I am sure I don't need to remind Councillor James the pandemic has had a significant impact on everything that the Council has been doing with building work coming to end and restrictions to movement. We were forced to relocate staff in order to address priorities as a Council. We have had two extremely challenging years. Costs have increased considerably as a result of the pandemic and also Brexit. We can't forget that. Prices have gone through the roof, to be honest, they’ve gone higher than that and that's why we took part in a review by the Welsh Government. A review on costs, on higher costs of our programmes. As a result, Government agreed an increase in the grant allocation in order for us to address some of the additional matters and that we are genuinely thankful for.
This review of the MEP, a review that I personally asked for. Until the review has been completed, I cannot confirm if all the schools and all proposals in last year's budget will be progressed. Because as part of this review we are undertaking a comprehensive review of the programme. We will have to look at sustainable development and net zero carbon, will have to look at budget constraints, inflation in relation to construction. As I've already mentioned, we have to review and re-cost everything that we do. We have to look at the suitability and condition of our buildings and changes to pupil trends.
I'm saying once again, until this review is completed, I cannot confirm if all the proposals regarding schools in last year's budget will be progressed. Thank you Cllr. James.”
Supplementary Question by Councillor Rob James
“Fifteen new schools have been identified as part of the draft budget, yet they haven't been submitted to the Welsh Government for funding. Yet capital funding has been allocated next year to be spent on these projects. Do you accept that with your review and with a lack of submission to the Welsh Government that these projects will not be progressed next year?”
Response by Councillor Glynog Davies – Cabinet Member for Education & Children:-
“No, I do not accept that because this review must happen now and I must have the responses of the review before I take any further decisions.”