Cabinet

Cabinet will consider two school reorganisation proposals at its meeting on 6 October 2026: one for Catholic schools in Flintshire and one for primary schools in Saltney. Both follow a statutory consultation, and both reports ask Cabinet to note the results and consider moving to a statutory notice with a 28-day objection period. No minutes have been published yet, so no decisions are recorded.

1. Proposed reorganisation of Catholic schools in Flintshire

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet notes the consultation report, comments on it, and supports the proposed reorganisation of a number of Catholic schools. It also recommends that Cabinet considers proceeding to issue a statutory notice, which starts a 28-day objection period.

   Why

   The council says the Catholic schools have too many empty places, with 43.72% of primary places unfilled in January 2026. It says the new school would replace four ageing buildings and cut 397 full-time places across the network. Estyn, the schools inspectorate, considers the proposal likely to at least maintain standards of education, but notes that some pupils would face longer journeys.

   Based on the minutes, Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 1 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 2 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 3 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate

2. Proposed merger of Saltney Ferry and Saltney Wood Memorial primary schools

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet notes the consultation report, comments on it, and supports the reorganisation of Saltney Ferry and Saltney Wood Memorial primary schools through amalgamation. It also recommends that Cabinet considers proceeding to issue a statutory notice, which starts a 28-day objection period.

   Why

   The council says the two schools had 40.27% of their full-time places unfilled in January 2026. A merged 3-11 school of 315 places would cut 137 places across the network, and forecasts suggest demand of about 268 places by 2030. Estyn considers the proposal likely to at least maintain standards, but says the financial case over refurbishing the existing buildings is not clear and that the proposal does not say what would happen if funding is not secured.

   Based on the minutes, Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 1 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 2 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 3 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney

Written by AI from the reports on the agenda, before the minutes are published. Reports say what council officers recommend; the meeting can decide differently. Once the minutes are out, this becomes a summary of what was decided.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

2. 3

   Urgent Matters as Agreed by the Chair

3. 4

   Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

   Papers: Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 1 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 2 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate, Enc. 3 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise the Catholic School Estate
4. 5

   Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 1 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 2 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney, Enc. 3 for Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme - Proposal to Modernise English Medium Primary Education Provision for Saltney

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Adele Davies-Cooke, ObserverConservativeIn attendance
• Andrew Parkhurst, ObserverLiberal DemocratIn attendance
• Chris Dolphin, Committee MemberEaglePresent
• Christine Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Dave Hughes, LeaderLabourPresent
• Dave Mackie, ObserverTrue IndependentsIn attendance
• Dave Vernon, ObserverReform UKIn attendance
• Glyn Banks, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Helen Brown, ObserverReform UKIn attendance
• Ian Hodge, ObserverReform UKIn attendance
• Jason Shallcross, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Linda Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mared Eastwood, Committee MemberEaglePresent
• Mike Peers, ObserverReform UKIn attendance
• Paul Johnson, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Richard Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Richard Lloyd, ObserverLabourIn attendance
• Ryan McKeown, ObserverLabourIn attendance
• Ted Palmer, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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