A governor has called for assurances over the future of a Powys high school after it was left off a multi-million pound programme of projects in the county.
Liberal Democrat Powys County councillor Gareth Ratcliffe is a governor at Gwernyfed High School and has asked for assurances that there is a long term future for the school, in Three Cocks between Brecon and his ward of Hay-on-Wye.
Earlier this month the Powys County Council’s Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet signed off on a Strategic Outline Programme which would see around £300 million invested in building new schools in the county over the next decade.
The Welsh Government has asked local authorities to submit proposals for rolling programmes of proposals for up to nine years to its Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.
But the list of proposals from Powys made no mention of Gwernyfed High School.
During the previous Independent/Conservative council administration plans to redevelop Gwernyfed including a new building had been mooted but shelved as the money for the scheme was spent completing school building projects in the north of Powys.
According to Cllr Ratcliffe this led to the feeling in the area that Gwernyfed is “forgotten.”
Cllr Ratcliffe said: “We see that the Powys cabinet is entering an ambitious school-building programme.
“Can the portfolio holder share his plans for Gwernyfed to reassure the community that there is a long-term plan for secondary education in the Gwernyfed catchment.
“What capital investment is planned to deliver a fit-for-purpose school at the present location.”
ALSO READ:
- Powys man chased ex-girlfriend in her car after fish and chip shop row
- More brilliant photos from the National Urdd Eisteddfod in Powys
- Powys border farm on sale for the first time in decades for over £1 million
Education portfolio holder, Liberal Democrat Cllr Pete Roberts said: “Cabinet recently approved a new SOP which outlines our ambition to transform education across Powys and supports our Strategy for Transforming Education 2022-2032.
“The SOP has now been submitted to the Welsh Government for their assessment, which we hope to receive soon.
“I am fully aware of the building condition issues at Gwernyfed and also the works that have happened over the last few years.
“However, I’m also very aware that there continues to be significant issues to be addressed.
“Officers are currently drafting a report for CLT (Corporate Leadership Team) and Cabinet’s consideration which outline the works required and the estimated cost.
Get in touch
Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@countytimes.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.
“The appropriate funding route will be agreed following this.”
In February it emerged that a pollution incident had occurred at the school and those 800 tonnes of contaminated soil has had to be dug up and taken away from the site.
Kerosene oil was found to have leaked in the drainage system next to the sports hall at the school.
The cost of dealing with the incident was estimated to be £140,000.
The school opened in 1950 and part of it is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here