Calls For More Welsh Government Funding to Build More Schools in Wrexham

Calls for additional Welsh Government funding to build more schools in Wrexham has been made to help meet the demand for primary school provision in the area.

The comment was made by Council Leader Mark Pritchard at Tuesday’s Executive Board meeting during a debate on the increase of capacity at Ysgol Plas Coch and Ysgol Alexandra.

Both schools currently have a capacity of 210 pupils, however members of the Executive Board yesterday backed plans to increase provision at the schools by 105 pupil places.

Improvement and extension works to cater for the increase in provision have also been taking place on the two schools for the past two months.

Presenting his report Lead Member for People – Children’s Services & Education, Cllr Michael Williams noted there is a ‘deficit’ in pupil places in town centre schools.

Cllr Williams said: “The purpose of report to inform members of increasing capacity and seek approval to form increase in both schools from September 2017. The reasons for recommendation are proposed increase in capacity will provide town centre provision, of which there is a deficit in the area.”

One query raised was if it was possible to extend other schools in Wrexham to meet the demand and if any thought had been given to the potential impact Brexit could have on school places.

Leader of the opposition Labour Party, Cllr Dana Davies said: “Can use this as a pilot to roll out to other schools under pressure. We had a debate in the closed meeting last week – we’re unsure what the potential Brexit vote is going to do to school place planning and what the position for school places will be in Wrexham.

“Could we roll this out where there is capacity and there is land on site. The next tranche of 21st century schools isn’t until 2019. There are pressures on schools at the moment.”

Responding Cllr Williams noted there was ‘no idea how Brexit is going to affect school places or migration in Wrexham’. He added: “It’s a long time in the future from my reading on what is taking place.”

Cllr Davies said: “Because of that uncertainty can we use that as a pilot to look at schools under pressure now with a view of increasing places?

“The issues are addressed for Ysgol Alexandra and Ysgol Plas Coch and I’m aware of other schools under pressure. Can we not carry this forward unto other schools as it is flexible space.”

Cllr Davies added: “As a priority, if we can look at areas where we can increase capacity, I think we need to do this as matter of urgency.”

However it was noted that not all schools in Wrexham have the space to extend, with Cllr Williams stating: “We need to look at a new school to accomodate 420 pupils for the demand.

“The statistics and information we have collected and collated show we require a replacement school for St Mary’s and we need a new school for the projected increase as people migrate into the town centre as people prefer the life there.”

Reference was also made to the ongoing Groves saga, with Cllr Pritchard stating: “I am delighted you are sat here today recognising the pressure at schools. It won’t be met with extensions, some have land mass and some don’t.

“We do know we have an increase in demand for education, that is why want to build on the Groves and the requirement to build a school in town.

“The bluntness of it is we have to build new schools to meet demand. Playing around with extensions will not do it.”

Cllr Davies noted that issues with school place planning had been recognised and debated for a number of years in Scrutiny meetings.

She added: “The issue is funding for building a new school is years off. I’ve had some assurance from the lead member that work is continuing.

“From a political debate, we have been discussing for some time in Scrutiny for school place planning.”

Regarding the funding of new schools, Cllr Pritchard noted that although there is funding issues across Wales he would ‘plea; to Welsh Government to give the authority more money to build more schools.

Cllr Pritchard added: “We in Wrexham have a fantastic record in schools and in building and modernising schools. If Welsh Government give us more we will build new schools and we will spend it.

The increase in capacity at both Ysgol Alexandra and Ysgol Plas Coch will be implemented in September 2017.