Cwm Ifor School
It was a really proud moment for me when pupils moved into the new £6m Cwm Ifor School in Penyrheol.
The old school was a sprawling site built in the 1950s and was well past its sell-by date with an inefficient and expensive heating system.
The new Cwm Ifor Primary School was funded with £4m coming from the Welsh Government and £2m from Caerphilly council, something which was approved by the authority when I was leader of the authority.
This is the first 21st Century School to be opened in the county borough and it was great that pupils, parents and teachers all had input into the design of this school.
To see pupils moving in for their first day of schooling was very emotional for me as I went to the old school and I’m now chair of the school’s governors. When I was at Cwm Ifor I recall being in class of 47 – now it is down less than 30.
I’m sure everyone is delighted at the finished product – teaching children in such a fabulous environment, I believe, will lead to an improvement in educational attainment. How things have changed.
The old infants’ school site is surplus requirements and discussions are taking place for a suitable alternative use for the land. I will keep Observer readers in touch with progress but the intention is that any development has benefit for the Penyrheol community.
Caerphilly Council
In First Minister’s questions, I raised the issue of help to Caerphilly council as a result of the additional spending faced by the authority following the closure of Cwncarn because of asbestos issues. The cost is high and there are no plans to build a new school because no money is available. I also wanted to know what plans the Welsh Government had should a similar situation occur elsewhere.
Carwyn Jones said that he would consider any application for funding which came from Caerphilly but could not give any guarantees at present. I hope if the council submits an application for financial support, the Welsh Government will treat it very favourably.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East