Schools investment on the cards

Schools in Llangollen could benefit from a £52million investment programme.

Plans to improve facilities at Ysgol Pendref, Denbigh; Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Gwernant, Llangollen; Denbigh High School and Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn are included in the second phase of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme.

Under the first phase a £90million investment saw a new school built for Rhyl High School and Ysgol Tir Morfa, a new faith school in Rhyl, Christ the Word Catholic School, a new joint site for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras in Ruthin as well as a new schools at Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and Ysgol Carreg Emlyn in Clocaenog.

A seven-classroom extension and refurbishment at Bodnant Community School, Prestatyn, a three-classroom extension and refurbishment at Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy, Cynwyd and an extension and refurbishment of Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph were also included in this phase.

A proposal business case for the second phase of the programme, funded by the Welsh Government and Denbighshire County Council, will be discussed at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on September 22nd.  If approved the green light will be given to these projects which will see options for development at these schools progressed and business cases developed to seek the funding for individual projects. 

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “Supporting young people is a priority for the Council under our Corporate Plan and during the first phase of the programme more than £90 million has been invested in Denbighshire’s schools benefiting more than 3,500 pupils.

“As well as the benefit to young people, the investment of £90m also impacted on the local economy with a strong emphasis placed on local procurement which saw five of the eight projects led by North Wales firms and work secured for many local contractors.

“The second phase of the programme is set to see further investment in Denbigh and Llangollen which will benefit even more pupils in the county. This investment will be targeted to ensure we address the condition of our school buildings and improve the pupils’ learning environment.

“The Council has also been lobbying the Welsh Government for additional funding to enable investment at Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen, St Brigid’s Denbigh and the primary sector in Rhyl as part of the second phase of the programme.”