Purpose

To provide details on the outcome from the statutory consultation for the proposal to amalgamate a number of schools in the Catholic network in Flintshire and to build a new 3-18 all-through school, and seeks a mandate for the proposal to progress to the next stage of the School Organisation Code to publish a statutory notice to enter into a formal objection period.

Decision

The recommendations in the report were supported, with an amendment to change the word ‘considers’ to ‘supports’ in recommendation (c), and an additional recommendation shown as (d) below.

Councillor Shallcross abstained from the vote.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the consultation report and any comments made be noted, and the proposed reorganisation of a number of Catholic schools be supported;

(b)      That the following points, as part of its review of the proposal, be considered:

·       The likely impact on quality and standards in education

·       The likely impact on the community, and

·       The likely effect of different travelling arrangements

(c)      That Cabinet supports proceeding to issuing a statutory notice to commence a 28-day period for objections.  During this stage, any stakeholder can lodge a statutory objection to the proposal.  These statutory objections will be considered before a final determination takes place; and

(d)      That the Chief Officer (Governance) be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chief Officer (Education and Youth) and the Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure to add the representations in the letter by Addleshaw Goddard dated 04/09/26 and the council's rebuttal of them to the consultation response (to the extent that not already included)