MAENDY PRIMARY SCHOOL - CONSULTATION DOCUMENT – FEBRUARY 2020
EDUCATION SERVICE GWASANAETH ADDYSG Chief Officer, Education & Lead Director for Children and Young People Prif Swyddog, Addysg & Cyfarwyddwr Arweiniol ar gyfer Plant a Phobi Ifanc Dermot McChrystal BA (Hons) PGCE MSc
Your re/Eich cyf: Our ref/Ein cyf: MH/ Date/Dyddiad: 24th February 2020
Please contact/Cysyllter â Mark Horton Direct line/Llinell union: 01495 766910
To: Statutory Consultees and Other Interested Parties
Dear Consultee,
PROPOSAL TO EXPAND MAENDY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Torfaen’s Cabinet has agreed to commence consultation on the development of a new school for Maendy on its existing school site with effect from September 2023.
The proposal specifically refers to a new 420 place school with 30 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Nursery, Pre-school and community facilities on the existing school site. Catchment areas will remain unchanged but the larger school will cater for additional pupils expected from the new housing developments in the area. A new vehicular driveway/access off Maendy Way also forms part of this proposal.
The regulations require that consultees must be given at least 42 days to respond to the document, with at least 20 of these being school days. Taking this into account, the consultation period will begin with the issue of this letter (24th February 2020), and will close on Monday 6th April 2020.
Any comments/observations on the proposal can be made:
By writing to the Chief Officer, Education & Lead Director for Children and Young People (FAO Mark Horton) c/o Torfaen County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen NP4 6YB.
For information on how we handle your personal data please refer to our Privacy Notice at Torfaen.gov.uk
I gael gwybodaeth am sut rydym yn trin eich data personol, gweler ein Hysbysiad Preifatrwydd ar Torfaen.gov.uk
------THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE IN LARGER PRINT AND BRAILLE UPON REQUEST Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Cewch ateb Cymraeg i bob gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd yn arwain at oedi./ We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English. Correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and will not lead to delay. Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6YB Tel 01495 762200 Fax 01495 766904 Y Ganolfan Ddinesig, Pont-y-pŵl, Torfaen, NP4 6YB Ffôn 01495 762200 Ffacs 01495 766904 www.torfaen.gov.uk
By email: [email protected]
By attending the ‘drop-in’ session (details below) and completing a response proforma (attached to the Consultation document) and returning it to the above address.
Torfaen Play Service will make separate arrangements for children and young people to participate in the consultation, which will include the views of the school council.
The ‘drop-in’ session will allow interested parties to attend at a time that is convenient for them during the late afternoon/early evening and has been arranged as follows:
DAY DATE TIME VENUE Tuesday 10th March 3.30pm until Maendy Primary School, 2020 6.00pm. Wayfield Crescent, Cwmbran, NP44 1NH.
Officers will attend this session to answer questions and ensure all comments/views made are recorded to allow Elected Members to make an informed decision at the appropriate time.
Further information on this specific proposal (including the consultation document) and the authority’s other 21st Century Schools proposals can be found on the Council website at: www.torfaen.gov.uk.
A Welsh Medium Executive Summary of this document can be obtained by telephoning 01495 766910 or by visiting the Council’s website: www.torfaen.gov.uk.
If you are unclear about anything or require further information please do not hesitate to contact me on 01495 766910 (email: [email protected])
Yours sincerely
Mark Horton PRINCIPAL OFFICER, FORWARD PLANNING
For information on how we handle your personal data please refer to our Privacy Notice at Torfaen.gov.uk
I gael gwybodaeth am sut rydym yn trin eich data personol, gweler ein Hysbysiad Preifatrwydd ar Torfaen.gov.uk
------THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE IN LARGER PRINT AND BRAILLE UPON REQUEST We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English. Correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and will not lead to delay. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Cewch ateb Cymraeg i bob gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd yn arwain at oedi.
Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 6YB Tel 01495 762200 Fax 01495 766904 Y Ganolfan Ddinesig, Pont-y-pŵl, Torfaen, NP4 6YB Ffôn 01495 762200 Ffacs 01495 766904 www.torfaen.gov.uk
CONTENTS
Introductory Letter
Contents 2
1. Introduction 3 - 4
2. Consultation arrangements 4 - 5
3. The proposal to expand Maendy Primary School 5
4. Rationale and background information 5 - 11
5. Options considered 11 -14
6. Admission arrangements 15
7. Home to school transport 15
8. Human resources 15
9. Community impact/Equality impact assessment 15 -16
10. Welsh Language Impact Assessment 16
11. Frequently asked questions 16 - 17
12. What happens next? 17
13. Response pro forma 17
14. Other information 18
Appendix 1 – Distribution list for the consultation document 19
Appendix 2 – The quality and diversity of education 21
Appendix 3 – Community and Equality Impact Assessment 25
Appendix 4 – Your views 32
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Maendy Primary School Consultation Document
1. Introduction
The 21st Century Schools programme has been well documented, with the council taking the decision to include every school as part of it in October 2010. The council sought the views of all interested parties on its programme during a series of roadshows that were held across the county borough in March 2011.
The outcome of this public engagement was reported to cabinet in July 2011. Subsequent to this meeting, Welsh Government asked councils to revise their original Band A proposals (originally submitted in October 2010) against the following prioritisation criteria:
The poorest condition of the estate (prioritisation to reside with the council although the independent school survey data will be applied)
Surplus capacity – the key indicator being surplus places (both as a percentage and as an estimated actual reduction in a number of places)
Running efficiencies (e.g. reduction in running costs, backlog maintenance)
The revised Strategic Outline Programme was approved by Council in November 2011 with the Welsh Government confirming match funding in principle in December 2011.
Maendy Primary School was included as one of the council’s Band B priorities in the Programme submitted to Welsh Government at that time and confirmed again following review in 2017.
Torfaen’s Primary School estate has some schools that:
Are trying to operate in buildings or grounds which are not fit for purpose and have an unaffordable maintenance backlog Are too small to run economically in todays financial climate Have significant surplus capacity in their local cluster of schools Are not located where the demand for school places is concentrated.
The 21st Century Schools Programme in Torfaen and across Wales is intended to tackle these issues in a strategic rather than piecemeal way.
A number of projects have now been successfully completed in Band A (2014 to 2019) as the council now moves to Band B (2020 – 2025) of the agreed programme of which this proposal forms part of that. Although agreed in principle by Welsh Government, the investment will not go ahead until the Full Business Case (FBC) is approved.
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If successful, the capital cost of the project will be funded by Welsh Government (65%) and the council (35%).
2. Consultation arrangements
Before any decision is made on the proposal to expand Maendy Primary School the council is required to hold a statutory consultation with all interested parties, and the following information is provided to set out the process by which consultation will be conducted. This is necessary because the proposal will see the capacity of the school increase by at least 25%.
The School Organisation Code provides a list of consultees who must be advised by letter or email of the availability of the consultation document and that recipients can, if they wish, obtain a hard copy of the consultation document on request. A list of all those being consulted is attached as appendix 1 to this document.
A ‘drop-in’ session in relation to this proposal will be held as follows:
DAY DATE TIME VENUE Tuesday 10th March 3.30pm until Maendy 2020 6.00pm. Primary School, Wayfield Crescent, Cwmbran, NP44 1NH.
This will allow interested parties to attend at a time that is convenient for them during the late afternoon/early evening. Officers will attend to answer questions and ensure all comments/views made are recorded to allow Elected Members to make an informed decision at the appropriate time.
In addition, any views or comments can be made:
By writing to the Chief Officer, Education & Lead Director for Children and Young People (FAO Mark Horton) c/o Torfaen County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Pontypool, Torfaen NP4 6YB.
By email: [email protected].
By completing a response proforma (attached as an appendix to this document) and returning it to the above mentioned address.
It is important to note that any unfavourable comments made during the consultation period will not be treated as objections and that if you wish to object, you will need to do so in writing during the statutory objection period. If consultees submit a request during the objection period that a response submitted at the consultation stage should be treated as an objection this will be accepted.
The views of children and young people are important. Therefore separate consultation and engagement arrangements will be made specifically tailored for
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children and young people. Pupils will be issued with their own version of this consultation document and will have an opportunity to discuss the proposal and submit their views and comments which will be included in the report to Cabinet.
3. The proposal
The proposal is as follows:
Torfaen County Borough Council propose to expand Maendy Primary School to 420 places plus Nursery with effect from the 1st September 2023.
The proposal forms part of the council’s 21st Century schools programme, the aim of which is to provide appropriate places and choices through investment in new and/or refurbished school building.
The council is proposing to invest £11,460,000.
In this case, a new school will be built on the existing school site to replace the current provision. The new provision, will have a low carbon/Passivhaus design and benefit from a new site entrance from Maendy Way removing the need for vehicular access to the school from the Northville housing estate.
It is proposed that the nursery will cater for 30 (full time equivalent) 3 and 4 year old children.
The new and expanded school will continue to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs (SEN/ALN) as is the case now. A Flying Start provision currently on site will also continue and childcare will be added.
4. Rationale and Background information
The quality and diversity of education
It is the view of the council that the proposal if implemented, would at least maintain the current standard of outcomes and attainment of Maendy Primary School.
Appendix 2 details the current performance of Maendy Primary School including its most recent Estyn inspection report and it is expected that the school will build on this performance.
Adequacy of the existing buildings
The existing school building is in need of significant investment just to bring it up to an “as built” standard. Such investment would do nothing to improve the suitability of the current buildings.
The school is of a mixed external wall and glazing infill and cladding design with the infants building constructed in 1958 and the junior building in 1962. The schools were amalgamated in 1984.
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The junior building is double storey and non DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant. The Infant building although single storey is on two levels, and also non DDA compliant.
Suitability is poor, with Welsh Government assessment being condition grade C (“A” being good to “D” poor).
The cost of the backlog maintenance requirements for Maendy Primary School is estimated at £523,105. Maintenance backlog issues include, but are not limited to:
Electrical (Replace obsolete main panels, rewire of power and lighting systems to both buildings) - £200,000 Mechanical (boiler plant replacement to both boiler houses) - £180,000 External Painting - £20,000 Window and door Framing - £20,000 Roofs (flat & Pitched) - £30,000
School Numbers on Roll/Pupil Projections
In terms of the provision of pupil places, the school directly affected by this proposal is Maendy itself, with capacity increasing to 420 places (currently 231). However there may be an indirect impact on other schools in the area so for the purposes of this exercise, the partner/feeder schools for Croesyceiliog School are included as follows:-
Name of Location Category Language Age Range School Croesyceiliog North Road, Maintained English 3 - 11 Primary school Croesyceiliog, Medium Cwmbran. NP44 2LL Llantarnam Llantarnam Maintained English 3 - 11 Community Road, Medium Primary Cwmbran. School NP44 3XB Llanyrafon Llanyrafon Maintained English 4 - 11 Primary Way, Medium School Llanyrafon, Cwmbran. NP44 8HW Maendy Wayfield Maintained English 3 - 11 Primary Crescent, Medium School Cwmbran. NP44 1NH Pontnewydd Bryncelyn Maintained English 3 - 11 Primary Road, Medium School Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. NP44 1JW
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A map showing the location and catchment areas for these schools can be found in appendix 3.
The following table provides details of numbers on roll for the previous four annual school census years, currently on roll (as of September 2019) and a five year forecast for those schools in the cluster that may be affected by these proposals
School (current Act Act Act Act Act Proj Proj Proj Proj Proj capacity) Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Croesyceiliog 415 415 415 412 409 399 395 391 383 373 Primary school (420) Llantarnam 196 204 240 264 287 349 309 331 344 342 Community Primary School (315) Llanyrafon 418 414 416 419 414 416 417 410 398 392 Primary School (407) Maendy Primary 183 179 193 206 209 *205 *180 *142 *129 *102 School (231)
Pontnewydd 368 359 347 363 351 350 333 314 296 280 Primary School (386) Total numbers on 1580 1571 1611 1664 1670 1719 1634 1588 1550 1489 roll (Total current Capacity: 1759) Notes:
1) Numbers exclude nursery aged children and SNRB pupils
2) School capacity is calculated using Welsh Government guidance, specifically the Welsh Government Circular No 21/2011”Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales”. Current School capacities are provided in above table.
3) Projected/forecasted numbers are based on current admission and parental preference trends and health authority live birth data. Any future admissions should be restricted to published admission numbers for individual schools during the appropriate admissions round, with oversubscription criteria and the requirements of Government Infant Class Size legislation applied where necessary.
4) Potential pupils from new housing developments have been included in the above projections.
5) For Maendy Primary School, the fall in projected numbers (marked *) can be attributed to current admission/parental preference trends resulting in a high number of applications going to other schools in the area against the “in
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catchment” live birth data for the relevant admission round. It is expected that numbers will recover significantly as a result of new housing in the Cwmbran area as a whole which will have the impact of “pushing back” pupils to their catchment area schools as the admission criteria are applied. The tables below provide a perhaps more realistic scenario based on “in catchment” live birth admissions.
At the present time, whilst more houses have been built in the Maendy catchment area than the Pontnewydd catchment area, the indication from the Planning Department is that an equal number of houses will be built in both catchment areas by the end of the development. The following table shows the South Sebastopol pupil projections split equally between current Pontnewydd and Maendy catchments. Therefore, based on existing pupils and Health Authority (in-catchment) live birth data going forward, the pupil projections are as follows:
Actual In- Projections School catchment
(Capacity) Jun Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Sep 19 19
Croesyceiliog
(420) 409 346 393 383 373 359 343 343 343 343 343
Llanyravon
(407) 414 256 391 367 335 298 267 267 267 267 267
Maendy
(231) 209 297 249 285 301 338 361 365 366 365 351
Pontnewydd
(386) 351 316 363 378 382 386 387 391 393 392 378
Llantarnam
(315) 287 362 361 333 367 392 402 402 402 402 402
Cluster Total
(1759) 1670 1577 1757 1746 1758 1773 1760 1768 1771 1769 1741
Surplus places 89 182 2 13 1 -14 -1 -9 -12 -10 18
Surplus places % 5% 10% 0% 1% 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1%
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Notes: 1. Live birth data only extends to September 2023. September 2024 figures takes an average of the previous 3 years. September 2025 onwards just rolls these totals forward.
The current capacity of the cluster is 1759 and 0% to 1% surplus places is insufficient to allow for fluctuations in demand. The proposal is to increase the capacity of Maendy from 231 to 420 places. The new cluster capacity would be 1948 places from September 2023. This gives a manageable level of surplus places of 9% to 11% in the cluster as shown in the following table.
Actual In- Projections catchment
School Jun Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 19
Cluster Surplus places with Maendy 420 in 2023 89 182 2 13 1 175 188 180 177 179 207
Surplus % 5% 10% 0% 1% 0% 9% 10% 9% 9% 9% 11%
Based on future housing developments on LDP (Local Development Plan) identified candidate sites, e.g. near the critical care centre in Llanfrechfa Grange, there would be an impact on pupil projections in the area. We will be able to reassess the situation at the start of Band C and review the other cluster school capacities and catchment areas for Cwmbran as further housing development information becomes available. The schools planned to be addressed in Band C are Pontnewydd, Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon primary schools.
Early Years/Nursery Provision
A nursery provision will be maintained in the new school building. Through a separate Childcare Offer Capital Grant application, Torfaen has also been awarded £622,000 to develop a new childcare facility on the same site as Maendy Primary School to serve the local area. The facility will enable the provision of a wrap-around early years and childcare service along with an outreach centre for parents and the community. There are clear benefits in the establishment of early years and wrap- around care centres for children. They are known to provide support and nurture educational and social inclusion and development, especially among those in the community who are subject to social and economic deprivation.
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The Key considerations in respect of early years/nursery provision are:
The sufficiency of accommodation and facilities offered, both in the classroom and outdoors, and the viability of any school that wishes to add nursery places This is a complete replacement of existing facilities, with available nursery places at the school increased, to reflect the larger school being provided that the nursery unit will support.
Whether there is a need for additional nursery places in the area The size of the nursery needs to increase because the size of the school is being increased to meet local demand.
The levels of demand for certain types of nursery education e.g. Welsh medium or provision with a religious character As this is an English medium setting, there is unlikely to be any impact on Welsh medium or faith based provision, as those particular provisions will remain unchanged in the local area. It is perhaps worth noting that additional Welsh medium nursery (and primary) provision is also being provided at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw from September 2021, increasing the availability of Welsh medium provision across the borough as a whole.
The effect of the proposals on other institutions, including private and third sector providers This proposal is subject to formal consultation and therefore as part of this process, any independent or voluntary providers who may be affected including Mudiad Meithrin will be advised of the availability of this document should they wish to comment. This will also include all Registered Private/Voluntary Early Years Settings/Providers in Torfaen.
The Local Authority (LA) would undertake a tender for a private childcare provider to deliver the provision.
The extent to which proposals will integrate early year’s education with childcare services or are consistent with an integrated approach The provision will be required to offer wrap around and signed up to deliver the childcare offer as part of the specification within the tender process. This would be in line with the Childcare Offer guidance, ensuring a seamless transition between nursery and childcare. This will be managed by the LA to ensure there is an integrated approach, working in close collaboration with schools.
Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Provision
There is currently a Local Authority (LA) Special Needs Resource Base with 16 places and an assessment centre based at the school. It is proposed that provision for children with additional learning needs will continue to be provided in the new build.
The key considerations in respect of ALN provision are:
The impact on SEN (Special Educational Needs) provision Please note this is an LA provision not the schools provision. 10 Maendy Primary School | Torfaen County Borough Council
How proposals will contribute more generally to enhancing the quality of education and support for children with SEN.
By having staff with the knowledge and skills required for this provision will mean that the quality of advice and provision available for all children in the school and across Torfaen with ALN is enhanced.
5. Options considered
The long list of options was generated by a team of officers from within the Education Service and other council departments in 2010 following the launch of the 21st Century Schools Programme by the Welsh Government. This included consultation with a range of external stakeholders, and scrutiny by elected members. Each option was evaluated against the investment objectives and the extent to which it met the investment objectives. This resulted in options either being discounted, carried forward for further consideration in the short list or identified as a preferred way forward. The projects were prioritised and divided into bands A to D, forming Torfaen’s Strategic Outline Programme (SOP). The SOP incorporated a long list assessment for the Croesyceiliog cluster that included 6 options around modifications to the existing schools and a new school on the planned housing development in South Sebastopol. The long list in 2010 was:
Option Description Details Conclusions number
Discounted - does not Option Do Nothing address condition or 1 Maintain Status Quo pupil projections
Rebuild or refurbish Discounted - does not Llanyravon – refurbish existing schools on address pupil Croesyceiliog – refurbish / new Option current sites at existing projections across the 2 capacities and build a Maendy – new cluster new school on South Pontnewydd – refurbish / new Sebastopol South Sebastopol – new
Rebuild or refurbish existing schools on Llanyravon - refurbish + early current sites adjusting years provision Option capacities to meet Croesyceiliog – refurbish / new Possible 3 catchment needs and Maendy – new build a new school on Pontnewydd – refurbish / new South Sebastopol South Sebastopol – new
Rebuild or refurbish Llanyravon - refurbish + early Option existing schools on years Possible 4 current sites adjusting Croesyceiliog – refurbish / new capacities to meet Maendy/Sebastopol – new
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catchment needs, and Pontnewydd/Sebastopol – new add South Sebastopol to other schools’ catchments
Maendy/Sebastopol – new on Reduce the Primaries current site Option from 4 to 3, adjusting Pontnewydd/Sebastopol – new on Possible 5 capacities to meet current site catchment needs. Croesyceiliog/Llanyravon – new, located on the County Hall site Reduce the Primaries Maendy/Sebastopol – new on from 4 to 3, adjusting current site Option capacities to meet Pontnewydd/Sebastopol – new on Preferred 6 catchment needs and co current site - locate 3 -16 provision. Croesyceiliog/Llanyravon – new, co-located on the secondary site
It should be noted that since this initial review was completed some of the proposals were changed in November 2011 as part of the finalisation of the programme; school reorganisation proposals have seen Llantarnam Community Primary School added to this cluster of schools.
Options have been further re-evaluated, and going forward are as follows:
Scope Options Advantages / Disadvantages
Business as Usual Continue with existing provision Although this option will have the lowest structure and capacities. Maendy and initial capital cost and cause the least Pontnewydd unchanged and no new disruption, it fails to address business school for South Sebastopol. need, strategic fit or benefits optimisation. It would eventually result in a shortage of places. Intermediate Continue with existing provision This addresses all the critical success structure, adjusting capacities of factors. The condition of Maendy is poor primary schools to meet projected and requires investment in Band B and demand. Adjust capacities of Maendy increasing its capacity to 420 will meet and Pontnewydd to cater for South additional demand from the South Sebastopol demand. Sebastopol development. Pontnewydd is not scheduled for investment until Band C and its capacity will be reviewed then. Do Maximum Retain existing schools and their This addresses many of the critical
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capacities and add a new 210 place success factors, but crucially, retains school for South Sebastopol demand. Maendy as a smaller school (231) and creates another one in South Sebastopol (210).
The Council submitted a Business Case to Welsh Government on the “Intermediate” option in November 2019, and following its approval, now forms the basis of this formal consultation on the proposal.
Risks of the proposal
A number of risks and counter measures have been considered as part of this proposal:
Risks Counter measure
Critical building failure leading to Approval of the business case will avoid Education service failure. this risk. If it is not approved, funding will need to be found to clear maintenance backlogs in the immediate future.
Insufficient capacity for future TCBC Education Forward Planning demand. annually reviews demand for school places. This includes assessment of all future planned housing developments and takes them into account when planning school sizes. The new housing development in South Sebastopol will increase demand for school places significantly in this area.
Site development costs exceed Carry out site surveys and also ensure budget. sufficient budget is available for abnormal costs.
Construction cost exceeds budget. Ensure cost planning throughout pre-con phase and be prepared to carry out Value Engineering exercises.
Project delivered late due to Undertake thorough site surveys and plan excessive abnormal ground for worst case scenarios. conditions.
Failure to achieve BREEAM Excellent The preferred option (new build) is likely may impact the WG funding. to be able to achieve BREEAM Excellent and the location close to amenities should
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also help to achieve this.
In addition, We are proposing a low carbon/Passivhaus development because of the benefits to the end users and to the environment, and because it will reduce energy costs
Project delayed by statutory Carry out surveys early on in pre- undertakings. (e.g. Welsh Water, construction programme in order to plan Bats, FIT for Wales, Countryside accordingly. Alliance, Slow worms)
Benefits of the proposal
As a consequence of the above, the main benefits for the project would be:
Life expired buildings and facilities replaced.
High quality buildings and facilities that inspire learners and the community.
The new building will provide pupils and other users with accommodation in modern buildings that are more accessible (DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant).
Newer buildings are also more economical to run and minimising CO2 emissions. This is particularly so of low carbon designed buildings.
Larger schools are more viable financially, compared to cost inefficient small schools.
Costs of the proposal
The scheme budget is £11,460,000 funded on a 35/65 basis between Torfaen County Borough Council and Welsh Government to develop a new 420 place primary school plus 30 place nursery provision on the existing Maendy Primary School site. The scheme will also include a new driveway/access off Maendy Way to the school.
There will be revenue costs associated with this project due to the increase in the size and pupil capacity. This is estimated to be £75,000 per annum for premises costs (buildings maintenance, caretaking, cleaning, grounds maintenance, energy and rates) and leadership costs.
It should be noted that any revenue costs will not be include home to school transport costs. Home to school transport as a non-delegated budget is held and administered centrally by the Council.
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6. Admission arrangements
As Torfaen County Borough Council is the admission authority for Maendy Primary School, admission arrangements will remain unchanged as a result of the proposal.
7. Home to school transport
There are no changes proposed to the current home to school transport policy. Therefore, eligibility for free transport will be assessed using the mileage criteria (2 miles for primary aged children), and will be provided to those pupils attending their catchment area school who reside over this distance. 8. Human resources
Staffing levels at Maendy Primary School will need to be increased as a result of the proposal as more children enter the school.
9. Community/Equality impact assessment
In addition to the Special Needs Resource Base and the ALN assessment centre, there are currently the following community facilities on site:
Flying Start Playgroup and after school club
The above services will be provided for in the new building. In addition, Torfaen Play Service currently use the school facilities in the summer holidays. For the duration of the build project, they can arrange to use neighbouring school facilities.
We have consulted the Youth Service and Sport Development teams which do not have a requirement for additional school-based facilities in this area. Nonetheless, when looking at the design of the new school, attention will be paid to the location and accessibility of the school hall and outdoor provision to enable to the school to let out the facilities for community use in the future.
As part of the consultation process, a Community and Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken and is attached at appendix 3 to this document.
Should this proposal be implemented, it is likely to benefit children in accordance with the seven core aims of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically:
Core aim 1 - have a flying start in life; Core aim 2 - have a comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities; Core aim 3 - enjoy the best possible health and are free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation; Core aim 4 - have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities; Core aim 5 - are listened to, treated with respect, and have their race and cultural identity recognised;
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Core aim 6 - have a safe home and a community which supports physical and emotional wellbeing; and Core aim 7 - are not disadvantaged by poverty.
10. Welsh Language Impact Assessment
As the school involved is English Medium, there is no expected impact on Welsh Language provision. The proposed development will not change the current situation with regard to the Welsh Language Measure (2011).
11. Frequently asked questions
When would building work start?
If this proposal is approved the aim is to start building work on the Maendy Primary School site in the Spring/Summer of 2021 .We anticipate the new school opening in September 2023.
Will the catchment area of the school change?
There are no plans to change the catchment area at this stage. The school is being expanded to accommodate pupils from the South Sebastopol housing development, an area of which has already been allocated. Once the development has been completed, there may however be a need to review catchment areas in the future given other housing development that may impact on school provision in the area.
Will school transport be provided?
The current home to school/college transport policy provides free transport to those primary aged children who reside 2 miles or more from their catchment area school.
What about staff
There should be no impact on staff as the school is simply relocating to a new building. As pupil numbers increase in the future however, there will be new opportunities and any new appointments to the staff structure would have to be approved by the Governing Body and the Council through the formal Human Resource (HR) arrangements as is the case now.
What about the increased traffic in the area that the new school will generate
Traffic and Parking congestion outside schools at the start and end of the day are acknowledged by the Council. A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) will be undertaken as part of the planning process. The proposed new driveway will remove the need for vehicle access to the school site from Northville, which is currently the case.
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How safe will the pupils and staff be with construction adjacent to the existing school? How will the school manage with all the noise and dust from the building work?
The council has an excellent record of coordinating the building of replacement school buildings on “live” sites. The construction area will be completely separated from the day to day operation of the school with safety of the pupils and staff of paramount importance.
Building material deliveries will be timed to miss the start and end of the school day to ensure as little disruption as possible.
In terms of noise and dust this will be mitigated as best as possible and the contractor will work closely with the school to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.
12. What happens next?
The following details what happens next and sets out the statutory process:
Date: Comment:
February–March 2020 Initial consultation on proposal (6 weeks)
April 2020 Cabinet receive report on the outcome of the consultation and consider next steps. If Cabinet decide to proceed with the proposal, a Statutory Notice will be published.
April/May 2020 Statutory Notice published (28 day objection period; published on a school day and not less than 15 days before end of term so at least ½ of the notice period is in term time).
May/June 2020 If no objections are received during the Statutory Notice period local determination of the proposal will be made via report to Executive Member for Education. If objections are received, the determination of the proposal will be the function of the Local Authority’s Executive.
January 2021 Pre-construction period begins.
September 2023 Proposal implemented.
13. Response pro-forma
A response pro-forma for comments and suggestions of alternatives to the proposals, including an opportunity for consultees to register their wish to be notified
17 Maendy Primary School | Torfaen County Borough Council
of publication of the consultation report, is attached to this consultation document (Appendix 4).
14. Other information
Further information on this and other proposals can be found on the Council website at: www.torfaen.gov.uk.
18 Maendy Primary School | Torfaen County Borough Council
Appendix 1
DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
Parents (and where possible prospective parents) carers and guardians, and staff members of schools affected by the proposals; In the case of proposals affecting secondary provision, parents of pupils attending primary schools from which pupils normally transfer to that secondary school; The maintaining or proposed maintaining authority for any school likely to be affected by the proposals; Any other local authority (including those in England where appropriate) likely to be affected – including in the case of dedicated SEN provision any authority placing or likely to place pupils with SEN in it. Pan - Gwent Chief Education Officers (Caerphilly, Newport, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent), to distribute to schools in their areas as appropriate. The Church in Wales and Roman Catholic Diocesan Authority for the area in which any school likely to be affected is located. Any other appropriate religious body for any school likely to be affected by the proposals; The Governing body of any school which is the subject of the proposals; The Governing body of other schools which the proposer consider are likely to be affected by the proposal; The Welsh Ministers; Constituency and Regional Assembly Members (AMs) and Members of Parliament (MP’s) representing the area served by/intended to be served by any school which is the subject of the proposals; ESTYN Teaching and staff trade unions (NUT; NASUWT; ATL; UCAC; UNISON; GMB) representing teachers and other staff at any school which is the subject of the proposals; The relevant Regional Education Consortium; The Police and Crime Commissioner for the area served by/intended to be served by any school which is the subject of the proposals; Any community or town council for the area served by/intended to be served by any school which is the subject of the proposals (Blaenavon Community Council; Cwmbran Community Council; Pontypool Community Council; Ponthir Community Council; Henllys Community Council; Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council); In the case of proposals affecting nursery provision, any independent or voluntary providers who may be affected including Mudiad Meithrin. Also
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including all Registered Private/Voluntary Early Years Settings/Providers in Torfaen; In the case of proposals affecting nursery provision, the Children and Young People’s Partnership and/or the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships where present; In the case of proposals affecting SEN provision, any relevant health or third sector bodies with an interest; In the case of proposals affecting secondary provision, any further education institutions serving the area of the school (Coleg Gwent); In the case of proposals affecting Welsh Language provision, the Welsh Language Commissioner.
In addition to the above, the following are also included in the distribution:
The Headteacher of each school maintained by Torfaen LEA; All elected Members of Torfaen County Borough Council; The Careers Service; Torfaen Association of School Governors; Libraries; (Blaenavon, Cwmbran and Pontypool) Other Directorates of Torfaen County Borough Council RhAG (Parents for Welsh Medium Education) Torfaen Voluntary Alliance Communities First Partnership Board
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Appendix 2
The Quality and Diversity of Education
The following information shows the current performance of Maendy Primary School.
Key FP – Foundation Phase FPI – Foundation Phase Indicator LLC – Literacy, Language, Communication Skills MD – Mathematical Development PSWC – Personal & Social Development, Well Being and Cultural Development KS 2 – Key Stage 2 CSI – Core Subject Indicator FSM – Free School Meals
Standards achieved
Foundation Phase
These are statutory end of Year 2 assessments in school. FPI is Foundation Phase Indicator, and it is achieved when a pupil attains at least Outcome 5 in Literacy, Language, Communication, Mathematical Development and Personal, Social, Well Being and Cultural Diversity.
FPI:
School 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 201 8/19 Maendy 93.8% 88.0% 78.8% 72.4% Torfaen 88.6% 88.6% * * Wales 87.0% 87.3% * * Note: * No aggregated data from 2017/18 onwards Key Stage 2
These are statutory end of Year 6 assessments in school. CSI is Core Subject indicator, and it is achieved when a pupil attains at least Level 4 in English, Mathematics and Science.
The following tables provide details of KS 2 Performance - CSI:
School 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Maendy 100.0% 100.0% 90.0% 96.0% Torfaen 89.9% 89.5% * * Wales 88.6% 89.5% * * Note: * No aggregated data from 2017/18 onwards
Benchmarking at FP & KS2
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Schools are grouped and compared according to the proportion of pupils entitled to FSM (averaged across the last three academic years). Results within each group are divided into 4 ‘quarters’, with 25% of schools within each ‘quarter’
Quartile 1 (top 25% schools) Quartile 2 (top 50% schools) Quartile 3 (bottom 50% schools) Quartile 4 (bottom 25% schools)
Maendy 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 FP FPI 1 3 * * FP LLC English 1 3 * * FP MD 1 4 * * FP PSWC 3 4 * * KS2 CSI 1 1 * * KS2 English 1 1 * * KS2 Mathematics 2 1 * * KS2 Science 2 1 * * Note: * No benchmarking data from 2017/18 onwards
Estyn Report
The most recent Estyn report for the school is summarised below.
Date of Inspection: November 2017
Estyn evaluates a provider’s effectiveness using a four-point judgement scale:
Judgement What the judgement means Excellent Very strong, sustained performance and practice Good Strong features, although minor aspects may require improvement Adequate and Strengths outweigh weaknesses, but important aspects require needs improvement improvement Unsatisfactory Important weaknesses outweigh strengths and needs urgent improvement
Summary Most pupils at Maendy Primary School make strong progress from their starting points as they move through the school. They develop effective literacy and numeracy skills that they apply well in subjects across the curriculum. They behave well and show high levels of tolerance and consideration for other pupils and adults. Staff know their pupils well. Teachers deliver lessons and plan learning experiences that engage and motivate pupils successfully. The school’s systems for tracking and monitoring pupil progress are very effective in ensuring that pupils make excellent
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progress over time. The school’s special needs resource base assesses accurately the needs of its pupils, which helps to ensure suitable future placements. Leadership at the school is strong. Senior leaders have a clear vision for school improvement based on high expectations and they challenge underperformance robustly.
Inspection Area Judgement Standards Excellent Wellbeing and attitudes to Learning Good Teaching and learning experiences Good Care, support and guidance Excellent Leadership and Management Good
The link to the full report can be found here:- https://www.estyn.gov.wales/sites/www.estyn.gov.wales/files/documents/Maendy%2 0Primary%20School.pdf
Council Assessment
National Categorisation of Schools
Welsh Government issued guidance (Guidance document no: 226/2018; Date of issue: February 2018) on the National School Categorisation System. The link to the guidance is here:- https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-03/guidance- document-for-schools-local-authorities-and-regional-consortia-national- school-categorisation-system.pdf
The purpose of the national categorisation system is to ensure that the right support is provided to schools that need the most help and guidance. The system is also designed to enable schools to learn from each other and to share effective practice.
The system provides a clear and simple way of understanding how well a school is performing for all its pupils, how effectively it is led and managed, the quality of teaching and learning and the level of support and challenge it needs to do even better.
The system is based on a three-step process:
The following terminology will now be used to describe the outcomes of each step of the categorisation process:-
Step one: Outcome indicators
Step two: The outcome will be a judgement about a school’s improvement capacity (A–D).
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Step three: This will lead to a support category for each school (green, yellow, amber, red).
The categorisation colour indicates the level of support a school requires – green, yellow, amber or red (with the schools in the green category needing the least support and those in the red category needing the most intensive support).
The level of support available for each category is as follows.
Green support category - A school in this category will receive up to 4 days of support. Yellow support category - A school in this category will receive up to 10 days of support. Amber support category - A school in this category will receive up to 15 days of support. Red support category - A school in this category will receive up to 25 days of support
The categorisation outcomes of each school are published annually and provide a snapshot of Torfaen schools. The current categorisation for Maendy is:
School Name Step 2 Step 3 Maendy Primary A Green School Improvement Support Category Capacity
National School Categorisation
For a guide to the National School Categorisation System and information on all Torfaen schools, and those further afield including neighbouring Welsh councils please use the following link: http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/
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Appendix 3
MAENDY PRIMARY SCHOOL – COMMUNITY AND EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Community and Equality Impact Assessments are a structured way for the Council to fully understand the implications of our decisions and whether they are detrimental or discriminatory to certain groups or sections of the community. They help us to consider the impact of Council decisions and policies within and between communities more generally. The Community Impact Assessment process will ensure that our decision making process is robust and impacts on all communities within Torfaen ensuring that they are fully considered in Council business. By carrying out impact assessments, the Council is working to promote equality for all our service users, employees and the wider community that we serve.
1) The proportion of pupils from the catchment area that attend the school
138 pupils (62%) attend Maendy Primary School from within its catchment area. 159 attend other schools including 64 at Pontnewydd and 37 at Croesyceiliog primary schools (as at June 2019).
2) The proportion of pupils from outside the catchment area that attend the school
86 pupils attend Maendy from outside its catchment area, mainly from other primary schools in Cwmbran (68) (as at June 2019).
3) Current facilities and/or services offered by Maendy Primary School
The following facilities are offered at Maendy Primary School:
Breakfast Club First Steps Play Group and Wraparound Flying Start Pont Fach Assessment Base A variety of after school clubs including: Forest Schools, Gardening, Cookery, Rugby, Football, Dance, Singing and Drama, Dragon Sports, Netball, Art, etc Torfaen Summer Play Scheme Community Hwb – including facilities for coffee mornings, food share scheme, toddler music classes, clothes swap scheme Polling station for elections.
4) Distance and travelling time involved in attending Maendy Primary School or other Primary Schools in the area
Given the proposal is to replace the school on its existing site there will be no impact on travel distances for existing pupils. The school is being extended to accommodate potential pupils from the South Sebastopol housing development which is located approximately 1.5 miles from Maendy School.
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It should be noted that the current home to school transport policy for primary aged children provides free transport to those pupils attending their catchment area school, who reside 2 miles or more from school. In the majority of cases, free transport is unlikely to be provided as indicated on the map below, which shows a 2 mile buffer from Maendy Primary School.
Notes: Maendy Primary School Catchment area is shaded red.
Once completed, the South Sebastopol housing development will extend across the whole area shaded green.
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The catchment areas for the other partner/feeder schools in the cluster i.e. Croesyceiliog, Llantarnam, Llanyrafon and Pontnewydd Primary Schools are also included for illustrative purposes. 5) How would parents’ and pupils’ engage should the proposal be agreed?
The Council recognises the importance of an effective and smooth transition process to ensure there is little if any disruption should the proposal to expand Maendy Primary School be approved.
The school will form part of the project team and will contribute to the overall development of the new provision. Parents/carers and pupils will be provided with relevant information to aid their understanding of the transition process and the most appropriate support they can offer their children during the period of transition. The school will also work together with other services and where necessary agencies, in identifying families who may need additional support.
Parental and community engagement will remain a key priority throughout this process.
6) The wider implications the changes would have on public transport provisions.
The proposal is not expected to have any significant implications for public transport provision in the area. Where primary aged children are entitled to free home to school transport this is provided by a contracted vehicle.
7) Wider community safety issues.
No significant safety issues are anticipated.
8) Equality Impact
An Equality Impact Assessment is also undertaken in conjunction with and as part of the Community Impact Assessment and examines the potential equality implications of Council proposals.
The following are known as the “protected characteristics” in the Equality Act 2010 and are the groups that need to be considered: age; disability; gender; Marriage and Civil partnership; Pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; and sexual orientation.
In terms of equality impact, and because of the nature of this proposal, there is unlikely to be a significant impact, either positive or negative on groups or individuals with those protected characteristics:
Protected Current school(s) Proposal Impact Characteristics Race Torfaen has a Young people No Change low proportion from an ethnic of people from minority
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an ethnic background are minority. unlikely to be No adversely discrimination affected by the against race in proposals. Admission No discrimination Policy. against race in Admission Policy. Disability Young disabled A new 3 – 11 Positive people are more primary school as likely to live in part of the 21st Torfaen’s main Century Schools towns. Programme will Access plans have full will indicate any accessibility. issues in Buildings will also relation to the have better IT physical and network environment facilities which and how to makes it easier to improve them. support pupils Improved with additional access will needs through IT. allow disabled people to take advantage of education and associated services in schools.
Gender All schools New provision No Change named in this will be mixed sex. document are mixed sex. Age Maendy Primary The new School No Change School is a 3 – will have the 11 aged setting same age range and will be located on its current site.
Religion & Provided as part No changes No Change Belief of the existing proposed. National Curriculum Sexual N/A N/A No Change Orientation Transgender N/A N/A No Change
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Any issues will however be drawn out as part of the consultation process. For example if there are children at the school with individual needs, this will be addressed as part of the transition process.
The consultation will also consider if there are any vulnerable groupings of children e.g. Looked after Children, Gypsy Traveller Children or particular ethnic groups.
Overall, the council does not anticipate any significant impacts which cannot be mitigated.
9) What would be the impact on health and well-being?
There is not anticipated to be any impact on health and well-being should the proposal proceed. Opportunities for pupils to walk or cycle to school for example would still be available, and wherever possible encouraged.
The Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 places a duty on all public bodies to carry out sustainable development - the process of improving the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
Therefore, we have been reviewing ‘Low Carbon’ build options for the new school. The primary schools built in Torfaen in Band A achieved energy consumption and CO2 savings of approximately 27% for electricity and 40% for gas compared to the schools they replaced. (Figures taken from Blenheim Road Primary School 2016/2017 before and after analysis). However, we understand there may be further savings and environmental benefits to be achieved through the use of ‘Low Carbon’ methodologies.
‘Passivhaus’ is a comfort and energy standard that achieves low carbon emissions and is widely regarded as the world's most rigorous comfort and energy standard which focuses on delivering optimum internal comfort with minimal energy consumption.
The Passivhaus standard is based on a simple set of design parameters and a rigorous assessment system. It requires:
a maximum space heating and cooling demand of less than 15 kWh/m2/ year a maximum total primary energy demand of 135 kWh/m2/year an air change rate of no more than 0.6 air changes per hour @ 50 P
Based on the rules of building physics and enforced through a rigorous quality assurance process, this creates a highly efficient design that works as predicted.
Key principles include:
Harnessing natural light with good orientation and south facing glazing.
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Strategic shading and natural ventilation strategy for the summer months and night time cooling.
Robust airtightness and insulation layer; a continuous thermal line, preventing heat loss and external penetration.
Simplified detailing of design to help create a good ‘thermal envelope’.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, (MVHR) to produce continuous fresh air flow at controlled temperatures.
The true value of Passivhaus rests upon the assurance that its performance claims are both credible, and deliver the genuine benefit to both the user and the environment by achieving the following measurable benefits:
minimised energy consumption excellent standards of thermal comfort reduced CO2 levels, improving well-being and concentration radically reduced energy bills high standards of indoor air quality avoidance of building defects that can lead to mould growth optimised lifecycle costs
10) Transport Impact Assessment
The Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 places a duty on the council to assess the travel needs of learners under the age of 19. In addition to those children who qualify for free transport provision due to meeting the eligibility criteria, the council is under a legal obligation to assess the travel needs of learners who walk to school.
Transport arrangements and its impact cannot be accurately quantified until the council knows from where any additional pupils will be attending the school if the proposal proceeds. There are currently available walking routes to Maendy Primary School.
In terms of the new housing development that Maendy Primary School will serve, Cwmbran Drive has pavements both sides and dropped kerb uncontrolled crossing points near roundabouts where the speed limit is lower than the main sections. On this basis the route can be considered ‘available’ as the terminology that is used in a walking route risk assessment. The Cwmbran Drive west side pavement is also classed as national cycle route 492. Those who may not wish to walk beside a major main road could instead choose to walk along the canal towpath (classed as National cycle route 49) from South Sebastopol and cross over Cwmbran Drive in Pontnewydd on Station Road or on Maendy Way.
11) Staff Impact Assessment
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There will be no impact on existing staff albeit the increase in capacity may provide new and different opportunities not available in a smaller school.
Nevertheless, in addition to their role as statutory consultees, meaningful consultation will take place with any affected staff and recognised trade unions on the possible impact of the outcome of the statutory consultation. During this period, staff and trade unions will be given the opportunity to comment on the changes and the governing body and council representatives (which will include designated support from the Education Human Resources Team) will listen and take account of views expressed. Discussion will take place through agreed joint consultative processes with recognised trade unions (PSJCC) and collective consultation (and as required 1:1) meetings with staff.
12) Special Educational Needs provision
A child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty which requires special educational provision. A learning difficulty means the child has significantly greater difficulty in learning than most children of the same age or that child has a disability that needs different educational facilities for those that the school generally provides for children.
Provision will remain unchanged across the age range.
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Appendix 4
PROPOSAL: - TO EXPAND MAENDY PRIMARY SCHOOL
YOUR VIEWS
WE WOULD LIKE YOUR VIEWS ON THE ABOVE PROPOSAL. THIS IS ALSO YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SUGGEST ALTERNATIVES TO THIS PROPOSAL. PLEASE EITHER COMPLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN TO THE CHIEF OFFICER, EDUCATION & LEAD DIRECTOR FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (FAO MARK HORTON) C/O TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL, CIVIC CENTRE, PONTYPOOL, TORFAEN, NP4 6YB, OR EMAIL: [email protected]
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Should you require a copy of the consultation report please provide your contact details below
Email:
Name/Address:
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