AGENDA ITEM NO.

REPORT TO: Executive Board

REPORT NO: CLAO/23/10

DATE: 21 September 2010

LEAD MEMBER: Councillor Aled R Roberts

Corporate Leadership and Children
(Schools and Corporate Parenting)

LEAD OFFICER: Chief Learning and Achievement Officer

CONTACT OFFICER: Dafydd Ifans (Tel: 298715)

SUBJECT: Feedback on the outcome of Third Tranche

(T3) Transitional Capital Funding for Schools

WARD: All

1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

To inform Members of the outcome of the Third Tranche (T3) Transitional

Capital Funding for Schools bids submitted in May 2010 and to seek Member
approval to progress with the provision of a new Welsh-medium Primary
School in Gwersyllt.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.1 Local Authorities across Wales were invited by WAG to submit bids for capital
funds to improve schools. A third tranche of transitional funding from the
School Building Improvement Grant (SBIG) was made available before the
21st Century Schools programme commenced in April 2012.

2.2 The Authority had previously made successful bids in the first two tranches –
2008 and 2009 – for funding to build new Primary Schools at Rhosymedre
and Llay, with additional funding provided to carry out 3 Feasibility Studies in
2009 – 2010 for Penycae, Caia Park and the North of the County in relation to
Welsh-medium Education.

2.3 The feasibility work in all three areas considered a range of options, with the
projects relating to Welsh-medium provision and the Caia Schools both
lending themselves as suitable for submission at this time.
2.4 The Third Tranche (T3) submissions from Wrexham County Borough Council
followed on therefore from the feasibility work already undertaken and
centred on:

• The provision of a new Welsh-medium Primary School in Gwersyllt

• The redevelopment of Hafod y Wern and Gwenfro schools
including the relocation of Caia Park Resourced Nursery

In addition there were also submissions for funding for feasibility studies on:

• The provision of Welsh-medium education, primary and secondary, across

the Borough
• A study to review the provision of school places in the Ruabon and
surrounding areas to include faith based provision
• A study to review the provision of school places in the town centre and nearby
wards of Brynffynon, Esclusham and Offa to also include faith based
provision.

2.5 The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills of the
Welsh Assembly Government has approved, in principle, Wrexham County
Borough Council’s application for capital grant for the provision of a new
Welsh-medium School in Gwersyllt.

2.6 As well as receiving approval in principle, Wrexham County Borough Council

has also received approval for the maximum amount of grant funding
available for this project, a total of £4,130,320. This amounts to 70% of the
estimated total cost of the project (£5,900,457) as the conditions of the bid
call for a minimum of 30% (£1,770,137) match funding from the Authority as
approved when the proposed bids were submitted to Executive Board in May
2010.

2.7 The options considered for Welsh-medium Education in Wrexham, submitted

as part of the T3 bids, is attached at Appendix I, along with the detail behind
the approved preferred Option 2.3 in the attached document.

2.8 Some of the information forming the basis of the business case and project
mandate for this work is contained in Appendix I, however more detailed
project documents, such as the PID (Project Initiation Document), Business
Case, Capital Projects Proposal Form and the Project Mandate will be
developed as the project progresses.

2.9 The requirement for the Authority to commit to 30% match funding for this
project will also be included in the Capital Programme Report, due to be
presented to the Executive Board in October 2010. The funding is to be met
from future capital receipts in respect of land sales.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS

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3.1 That Members note the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong
Learning and Skills of the Welsh Assembly Government decision to
approve, in principle, Wrexham County Borough Council’s application
for capital grant for the provision of a new Welsh-medium Primary
School in Gwersyllt.

3.2 That Members provide approval for Officers to progress this project,
develop the necessary project management requirements and agree to
the 30% contribution from capital receipts.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to progress the projects identified as priorities in the Primary Review report
of 2007 and the current Education Asset Management Plan.

Mr John Davies
Chief Learning and Achievement Officer

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

4.1 The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) continued to operate the transitional
arrangements for capital funding following the cessation of the School
Buildings Improvement Grant (SBIG) in 2008 and the recent commencement
in April 2012 of its successor programme – 21st Century Schools.

4.2 This was the final opportunity for Local Authorities (LA's) to bid for capital funding
prior to the commencement of the 21st Century Schools programme.

4.3 The Authority had previously made successful bids in the first two tranches –
2008 and 2009 – for funding to build new Primary Schools at Rhosymedre
and Llay, with additional funding provided to carry out 3 Feasibility Studies in
2009 – 2010 for Penycae, Caia Park and the North of the County in relation to
Welsh-medium Education.

4.4 Officers reported the outcomes of the Feasibility Studies to Executive Board in
June 2010.

4.5 Despite advice from WAG that documentation relating to T3 funding would be
published in January 2010 with a submission date of May 2010, it was
actually circulated to Local Authorities on 1st April 2010 with a submission
deadline date of 28th May 2010.

4.6 The WAG documentation that we were required to complete and submit by 28th
May was significantly more demanding than previous tranches in terms of the
information required. The form for each project was based on the Five Case
Business Model, in line with the requirements of the 21st Century Schools
Programme. As a consequence, we were required to demonstrate very
clearly that the project is deliverable within the relevant timescales.

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4.7 The Third Tranche (T3) submissions from Wrexham County Borough Council
followed on therefore from the feasibility work already undertaken and
centred on:

• The provision of a new Welsh-medium School in Gwersyllt,

Wrexham
• The redevelopment of Hafod y Wern and Gwenfro schools
including the relocation of Caia Park Resource Nursery

In addition there were also submissions for funding for feasibility studies on:

• The provision of Welsh-medium education, primary and secondary, across

the Borough
• A study to review the provision of school places in the Ruabon and
surrounding areas to include faith based provision
• A study to review the provision of school places in the town centre and nearby
wards of Brynffynon, Esclusham and Offa to also include faith based
provision.

4.8 The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills of the
Welsh Assembly Government has approved, in principle, Wrexham County
Borough Council’s application for capital grant for the provision of a new
Welsh-medium School in Gwersyllt and as a successful application, we will be
allocated funding up to 70% of projected costs.

4.9 Although indications that demand for Welsh-medium education existed in the
Gwersyllt, Bradley and Llay communities were established through the survey
carried out by Opinion Research Services, real demand has been proven by
the uptake of an additional 90 places at Ysgol Plas Coch over the last three
years. These additional places have been provided in temporary
accommodation. As a result of this, the requirement for additional Welsh-
medium education provision in the northern area of the county is currently the
first priority of the Wrexham Education Asset Management Plan 2009 - 2014.

4.10 In order to satisfy the demand for additional Welsh-medium places from this
area of the County Borough additional temporary accommodation has been
provided at Ysgol Plas Coch. During the first two years of this provision 23
pupils per annum from Llay, Gwersyllt and Bradley attended Ysgol Plas Coch.
The total numbers of pupils from this geographical area in any Welsh medium
school was 25 in 2009 and 29 in 2010.

4.11 The proposed new Welsh medium school will provide 30 places a year which
will satisfy local demand. Ysgol Plas Coch already provided around 50% of
the demand from this area prior to the addition of temporary accommodation.
These places will be available to provide for increased demand likely from
town centre housings development.

4.12 The options considered for Welsh-medium Education in Wrexham, submitted

as part of the T3 bids, is attached at Appendix I, along with the detail behind
the approved preferred Option 2.3. Detail on the proposed key milestones for
the project as well as the estimated costs are also included in the appendix.
Some of the information forming the basis of the business case and project
mandate for this work is therefore provided in Appendix I, however more
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 detailed project documents, such as the PID (Project Initiation Document),
Business Case, Capital Projects Proposal Form and the Project Mandate will
be developed as the project progresses.

4.13 The requirement for the Authority to commit to 30% match funding for this
project will also be included in the Capital Programme Report, due to be
presented to the Executive Board in October 2010.

5. CONSULTATION

5.1 Local Members and schools in the relevant areas were consulted in October
2009 as part of the feasibility studies.

5.2 During the process of identification of specific sites, local members were not
consulted due to the timescales involved. For this reason there are concerns
which need to be addressed specifically during the next phase of the project.

5.3 Further statutory consultation will be required before establishing a new

school at the site. This will need to involve all local stakeholders. A strategy to
ensure that this will happen in practice will be drawn up with the involvement
of local members.

6. SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS

6.1 Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee discussed the transitional
funding at its meeting on 21 April 2010. It expressed a view that as much as
possible should be done to ensure that the bidding process reflects the
agreed priorities in the Primary Review report of 2007 and the current
Education Asset Management Plan.

6.2 The committee were also of the view that a bid for Welsh medium education
should be submitted as this is one of the highest priorities in the current
Education Asset Management Plan.

6.3 Questions were also raised in terms of funding for further phases of development
of Wrexham’s secondary schools. However, the prevailing view was that a
more strategic approach to planning of school places was required before
considering further investment in this sector.

7. IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Policy Framework - the funding, if successfully achieved, would support the
council’s Primary Review framework.

7.2 Budget - the Authority will need to provide £1.770m (30% of the total project
costs) from capital receipts.

7.3 Legal – any specific issues would be identified and addressed as the project
is progressed.

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7.4 Staffing - the proposed project policy would not have an impact on current
staffing arrangements.

7.5 Equalities - the successful completion of the Welsh-medium project would

address issues relating to equality of access to such provision in the North of
the County.

BACKGROUND PAPERS LOCATION WEBSITE INFO.

N/A

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 APPENDIX 1

Welsh Medium School Provision

1. Welsh-medium Provision – North of the County Survey

1.1 Following the results of the independent survey into the demand for Welsh-
medium provision in 2007, analysis of the responses indicated a significant
increase in demand in the North of the County Borough.

1.2 In particular, a significant number of parents indicated that they would express a
preference for Welsh-medium education if it was available closer to where they
lived.

1.3 This is further supported by the following analysis of data relating to the number
of pupils currently attending Welsh-medium schools from the relevant Wards:-

Pupils attending Ysgol Plas Coch by Ward

Ward Number of pupils
Gwerstyllt North 22
Gwersyllt West 47
Gwersyllt East and South 33
Llay 9
TOTAL 111

Pupils attending Ysgol Bodhyfryd by Ward

Ward Number of pupils
Gwerstyllt North 3
Gwersyllt West 2
Gwersyllt East and South 6
Llay 16
TOTAL 27

1.4 As an initial response, the Council has provided temporary accommodation at

Ysgol Plas Coch which is currently accommodating an additional 60 pupils.

1.5 Initial consultation meetings with schools and the public in the relevant area
identified a preference for any additional provision to be established as a
separate Welsh-medium Primary School.

1.6 The feasibility study, funded by Tranche 2 of the Transitional Grant, began by
identifying eight potential sites for such a development.

2. The study investigated number of potential sites; listed below:

2.1 Llay, Former Llay Park Infants School Building

2.2 Dodd’s Lane, Gwersyllt -

2.3 Land fronting Park Wall Road / Delamere Avenue, Gwersyllt,

2.4 Former industrial land (vacant), Gwersyllt

2.5 Anwyl Homes land adjacent to current development, Mold Road, Gwersyllt.
2.6 The Wauns playing fields

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2.7 Gwersyllt Cricket Club

2.8 Plas Coch Welsh Medium School (extension of)

3 The options were evaluated on their ability to deliver the agreed objectives. This
exercise was undertaken by representatives of CYP and TAM:

3.1 Proximity to centre of demand (Gwersyllt/Bradley) – 20 marks

3.2 Land within Council ownership – 25 marks

3.3 Land within settlement boundary– 10 marks

3.4 Desk top assessment of site (contamination etc)– 10 marks

3.5 Site size and shape (split site) – 10 marks

3.6 Likelihood to receive planning approval– 10 marks

3.7 Transport infrastructure – 15 marks

3.8 Impact on growth of welsh language – 10 marks

3.9 Need to relocate existing facilities (and cost of) – 5 marks

3.10 Impact on existing/neighbouring schools – 10 marks

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The results are set out in the table below.

Option Findings Cost Scoring Cost/

(4qtr2012) Max. 125 benefit
(£k)
WELSH MEDIUM WREXHAM NORTH
OPTIONS Discounted – due to land ownership or n/a n/a n/a
2.4 to 2.7 planning issues which cannot be
resolved in the timescales for the
Tranche 3 funding.

OPTION 2.2 Possible but discounted for the n/a 72 n/a

following reasons:
Dodd’s Lane o 3rd Party land required for the
playing fields
o Part of the site is outside the
settlement boundary
o Development area restricted
o Traffic and pedestrian link
compromised
o Need to re-locate Student Centre
and YMLAEN to facilitate the
development. Alternative
accommodation not yet identified
o Although the site is located in
Gwersyllt the school is closer to the
existing Welsh Medium provision at
Plas Coch
o Land ownership or planning issues
which cannot be resolved in the
timescales for the Tranche 3
funding.
OPTION 2.1 Possible but severely compromised £5,492,000 88 62
o Development area restricted -
Llay Infants requires joint use of adjoining
Block site school playing fields which will
require management through
timetabling
o The scheme is fine for the
proposed English Medium C.P. but
the Welsh Medium School will
involve the loss of parental parking
resulting in displacement onto
surrounding roads which will raise
concerns from highways. These
will need to be considered as part
of the planning process
o The access road to the Health
centre will split the school from the
playing fields
o There will be timing and
management issues with regard to
the ongoing project at Llay C.P.
School and any proposed start
date for the Welsh medium school.
This may involve decanting
children to mobiles to allow the
Infants site to become vacant prior
to the completion of Llay C.P.

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Option Findings Cost Scoring Cost/
(4qtr2012) Max. 125 benefit
(£k)
School

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Option 2.8 Possible but discounted due to 85
Plas Coch
o Is not within the area for which
the demand has been identified
o Sufficient welsh provision
within the town area
o Increases traffic generation

OPTION 2.3 Preferred Way Forward £5,870,000 108 54

o Good strategic location - Is within
Delamere the area for which the demand has
Avenue, been identified
Gwersyllt o All land required is within Council
ownership
o A detached site will give the school
its own identity
o Development will not fully utilise
the site
o Transportation infrastructure is
good
o Land is outside the settlement
boundary within open country side
but not further protected by other
designations. Whilst a
presumption against development
in the area, other considerations
such as the strategic advantages
of this site would support a strong
case for the development of a
school at this location
o Precautionary site investigations
ongoing

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Draft Key Project Milestones

Key Stage Completion Date

Feasibility study 3rd May 2010

Receipt of Tranche 3 Capital Funding

1st April 2010
forms and guidance
Tranche 3 funding application
28th May 2010
deadline
WAG announcement on funding July 2010

Appoint Design Team 29th October 2010

Design, procurement and contracts 30th March 2012

Building works commence 9th July 2012

Construction work complete 5th August 2013

New Welsh schools opens September 2013

Preferred Option - Conclusion

Land at Delamere Avenue

The overall preferred option is Option 2.3 –

Option 2.3 has been chosen as the preferred option for the following reasons:

o It delivers the most benefits (108)

o It offers the best value for money – in terms of the ratio of the Capital Cost
per benefit point (£54k) i.e. lowest cost per benefit obtained.
o It has a good strategic location
o It has a good transportation infrastructure
o It does not have an impact on any other neighbouring schools
o It will be subject to planning approval and contamination investigations

Overall Conclusion

The preferred option identified is:

Construct a new 210 pupil school plus nursery on the land off Delemere Avenue,
Gwersyllt.

ESTIMATED COSTS

The cost of delivering the preferred options would be approximately £5,870,000 of

which, the Council would be liable to pay at least 30% (£1,761,000) if the bid to the
Welsh Assembly was successful.

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