Consultation into plans to transfer an overcrowded Welsh-medium school in Canton to a new larger site has started.
Ysgol Treganna, which has campaigned for a solution to problems with cramped working conditions through the Treganna campaign group, would be transferred to a new site on council-owned land off Sanatorium road if funding for the plans is secured from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The proposals would also involve closing Ysgol Tan yr Eos and moving pupils to the enlarged Ysgol Treganna on the new site – the executive approved the decision to go to consultation on the plans in November – read our earlier report here.
Today Cardiff council announced several means for the public to give their views on the plans through a number of consultation events.
Public meetings will be held on Tuesday 18 January and Thursday 20 January, at 7pm at Fitzalan High School and drop-in sessions have also been organised at Canton Library on Monday 17 January (9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm) and Wednesday 26 January (9am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm) when council officers will be on hand to explain the proposals in more detail and answer any questions.
An exhibition on the proposal will be on display at Canton Library during the consultation period.
Cardiff council said:
"The growing demand for Welsh-medium education in this area together with the increase in population as indicated by WAG population figures released in 2010, has led officers to develop this proposal to respond to these issues effectively. No existing English-medium provision will be closed or reduced in capacity as a result of this proposal."
The consultation period will run until 28 February and parents, school staff, governors and others in the community who would be affected by the proposal will be sent copies of the consultation document and invited to respond. Views can be also be emailed to schoolresponses@cardiff.gov.uk. Any comments, including those submitted by e-mail, must contain the full name and postal address of the person making the comments.
All the views and comments will be considered as part of the council's decision making process.
Executive member for education and lifelong learning, Freda Salway, said:
"We are very interested to know the views of the public about this proposal which has been developed as a priority to deal with the overcrowding issues at Ysgol Treganna and Ysgol Tan yr Eos and the growing demand for Welsh medium education in the area.
"People will be able to ask questions and let us have their opinions during the consultation period. There are a number of ways to submit feedback so I would encourage anyone who wishes to have their say to do so."
Canton councillors Cerys Furlong, Ramesh Patel, and Richard Cook, said in a statement:
"We welcome the public consultation about the proposals to build a new Welsh medium school in Canton and urge all members of the community to have a look at the display in Canton library or to attend the public meetings and drop in sessions.
"We hope that these proposals will lead to the building of a new Welsh medium school in Canton, and end the uncertainty that parents and children in both English and Welsh medium education have faced in recent years."
What do you think? Leave your comment below. See the latest news on Cardiff schools here.
.jpg?w=600)
