Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting next Thursday (July 31), will consider going ahead with a scheme to build a new Ysgol Heol Goffa with capacity for 150 Additional Learning Needs pupils in Llanelli. This follows thorough consideration of a council-commissioned independent report into special educational provision in the Llanelli area and an open and detailed discussion with the governors of Ysgol Heol Goffa, the staff and other interested parties.
The recommendation will be made by Cllr Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, who said:
“I can reveal that the Governing Body has informed us that it would support the council going ahead with Option Four in the independent report – which is to build a new school with enhanced capacity for 150 pupils with moderate, severe or profound learning difficulties. This opinion is also supported by the Head and school staff. I truly admire them for their reasonable and patient attitude in coming to this conclusion.
“Based on that, I’m delighted to announce that this is the option I’ll be recommending to Cabinet next Thursday. A new and enlarged Heol Goffa can be delivered in a shorter timescale than the alternative option of building a 250-pupil school to include pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. Work is already underway to provide for ASC pupils in the Llanelli area.
“If the preferred option is accepted by my Cabinet colleagues next Thursday, further discussions will be held with Welsh Government to establish a business case, since a new special school for 150 pupils could cost as much as £35m.
“I must emphasise that had we gone ahead with the original plan, as many wanted, to build a replacement school last year, it would have been full on day one. What’s being proposed now will be a much better outcome for pupils, parents and staff.
“Our priority as a council is ensuring the very best ALN provision for the rising and future generations of pupils in Llanelli, balanced by the demand for other improved educational provision in the Llanelli area and other parts of the county, and value for money for our residents.”
