Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in | Become a Member - no adverts Manage My Membership | Log out
Menu
  • News
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Council pressing ahead with school merger plans

News | Emily Gill - Local Democracy Reporting Service | Published: 15:14, Friday March 26th, 2021.
Last updated: 15:14, Friday March 26th, 2021

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Llanfabon Infants School, Nelson
Llanfabon Infants School, Nelson

Two Nelson primary schools could be merged – at a cost of £4 million – under plans put forward by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

On Thursday (March 25), the council’s education scrutiny committee supported the submission an outline plan to the Welsh Government on proposals to merge Llancaeach Junior School and Llanfabon Infants School.

The existing Llanfabon Infants site will house both schools and will be expanded and refurbished to accommodate the additional places, if plans go ahead.

In total, it is expected the proposal will see 275 primary school places on the site, alongside a nursery.

As the plans include a merger, the proposal will require a formal consultation.

A report says the proposal will reduce surplus places and create more opportunities for community use.


Latest News

  • Llanbradach man, 96, jailed after killing pedestrian with carFriday, January 27, 2023
  • Bluebell Woods was much loved by the people of Llanbradach
    Residents to protest over Bluebell Woods sale outside Paul Fosh Auctions officesFriday, January 27, 2023
  • Cllr Carl Cuss, Labour councillor for the Twyn Carno ward
    Council hits back over levelling-up criticisms from councillorFriday, January 27, 2023
  • Gwent Police
    6.78% Gwent Police tax precept rise backed by panelFriday, January 27, 2023
  • The road leading to the Trehir household waste recycling centre
    Waste site reopens after car fireFriday, January 27, 2023

Sign up to our daily newsletter


Current estimates indicate the proposal will cost around £4 million. The council would cover 35% of this (£1.4m), while the Welsh Government would contribute the remaining £2.6m.

The merger was included in the council’s Caerphilly Wellbeing and Place Shaping Framework, which set out a host of projects totalling £231m.

Speaking in the meeting, Councillor Brenda Miles, who represents the Nelson ward, said the proposal “is a good one”.

She said parents who have children in both schools currently find it difficult going between the two.

Cllr Phil Bevan said this had been “a long time coming”.

The cabinet will now consider the report on April 7 and decide whether to move forward with a business case.

What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?

A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.

It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.

Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:

  • Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
  • Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
  • Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
  • Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
  • Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
  • Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
  • Cllr Julian Simmonds (Crosskeys) – Highways and Transportation
  • Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
  • Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
  • Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces

Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.

Last updated June 29, 2022


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Jaggery

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, January 27, 2023
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Elliots Town, New TredegarTuesday, January 17, 2023
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesMonday, January 16, 2023
  • Notice of application for a variation of premises licence: Hall Street, BlackwoodWednesday, January 11, 2023
© 2009-2022 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Britannia House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.