School modernisation update for Cabinet

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed plans for setting up a strategic partnership as part of the financing arrangements for the second wave of its school modernisation programme.

The move forms part of Welsh Government’s favoured requirements around the future funding of schools and is being adopted by other local authorities as well as further education establishments throughout Wales.

It will help to deliver fresh investment of more than £68m into new schools and educational facilities for Bridgend County Borough.

The strategic partnership will be in place for a minimum of 10 years, with an option to extend it if necessary for an additional five year period.

As part of the arrangement, Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, will also sit as a member of a strategic partnership board which will be set up to monitor and oversee the partnership with Welsh Government, partners and relevant contractors.

The establishment of a strategic partnership is now the standard arrangement favoured by Welsh Government for delivering its 21st century schools programme.

It forms an important element in enabling the council to continue to deliver its own school modernisation programme, and offers a range of benefits such as economy of scale as well as the additional security of being a Welsh Government-favoured scheme.

With feasibility studies underway at a number of locations, I am looking forward to seeing the council deliver the next round of planned educational improvements in Bridgend County Borough.

Councillor Smith