Glyntraian Community Council Bids for Grant Funding to Run Public Consultation on the Future of Pontfadog Primary School Site After Closure
Glyntraian Community Council (GCC) agreed at its June meeting to bid for grant funding in order to run a wide-ranging public consultation exercise to seek opinion on the most favoured use of the Ysgol Pontfadog site. The 110-year-old village primary closes its doors for the final time on Friday 19th July at 3:15pm.
The Community Council voted by an 8-1 majority to sanction the 30 percent contribution cost of £3k to run a professional consultation and feasibility study through Cadwyn Clwyd. The Denbighshire-based Rural Development Agency provides guidance and support to communities across the region to help develop the rural economy in North Wales.
Grant funding has now been applied for and Cadwyn Clwyd’s decision on whether it will agree to fund the remaining 70 percent from ERDF monies is expected in mid-July. If approved, Cadwyn Clwyd will begin the process of inviting tenders from professional community engagement consultants via the Sell to Wales procurement site. It is hoped an appointment will be made, in collaboration with Glyntraian Community Council, by August with the consultation commencing in September.
“Wrexham Council Leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard has publicly declared the Local Authority is willing to transfer the whole site into the stewardship of Glyntraian Community Council once the school closes if a suitable use is agreed. GCC will become responsible for the repairs and maintenance of the entire site thereafter,” said GCC Chairman, Cllr Chris Futcher. “We wish to consult widely on the options for future use of the site, which will need to dovetail with our place plan and Wrexham Council’s own strategic priorities. We fully expect a robust, well-managed consultation process will reveal how most residents would prefer to see the asset used in the long-term. It will then be up to this Council, in close collaboration with the appointed consultant, to decide the best option to put forward to Wrexham Council. It is they who will ultimately make the final decision based on whether the chosen proposal is financially viable, sustainable and meets the needs of the community as a whole,” added Cllr Futcher.
“A professionally executed community engagement consultation is vital to ensure as many local people as possible have their chance to contribute to the process,” said Cllr Jools Payne, who chairs the GCC Communications Committee. “We anticipate the consultation may take up to five months. We will employ a wide range of online and offline tools and techniques, including digital as well as paper surveys, focus groups and public meetings to reach out to as many age groups, residents, visitors and businesses as possible.”
Anyone who wants to learn more about the Cadwyn Clwyd consultation on Ysgol Pontfadog is invited to contact the Glyntraian Community Council Clerk in the first instance by emailing clerk@glyntraian.org.uk or call 07948 214079. Details of further updates will be posted on the GCC Facebook page and this website.