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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Labour decision on Welsh School could delay its opening and lead to future over-crowding says AM
August 21, 2006 11:22 PM
The decision by the Labour Assembly Education Minister, Jane Davidson, to reduce the size of the planned new Welsh medium primary school in West Cross could delay its opening and lead to future over-crowding there, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has said.
Swansea Council wanted a school which would accommodate 420 pupils plus 60 nursery places, however the minister has ruled that the school can be built with only 315 places plus 45 nursery places. Although the Council is confident that pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw will be able to start at their new base in September 2008, Mr. Black believes that the timetable could be tight as it may well involve a further planning application and all that entails.
"As I understand it the case for a two form entry school at West Cross was overwhelming," said Mr. Black. "Despite this the Labour Assembly Government has insisted on a smaller school for political reasons. I believe that the opposition of local Labour AMs, MPs and Councillors was influential in leading to the reduction in size. The outcome will not fully satisfy anybody: assuming any new planning application is granted, the school will still be built on the planned site against the wishes of a number of local residents, but it will fill up rapidly and in a few years the Council will be put in a situation whereby it needs to invest more money in expanding the school to meet demand."
"A new Welsh school is very good news for Swansea. However, the action of the Minister in cutting the size of this school directly works against the best interests of Welsh Medium education in Swansea. More and more parents want their children to be taught through the medium of Welsh in the City and it is important that facilities are provided to satisfy their wishes. However, the Labour Assembly Government seems determined to undermine that growth."
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