'More costs info needed before school decision'

COUNCIL chiefs in Carmarthenshire want a clearer understanding of costs before deciding to build a much-needed replacement special school in Llanelli.

- RICHARD YOULE Senior local democracy reporter

Cabinet proposed two options to replace Ysgol Heol Goffa at a meeting on Monday - a 150-place school, along with a primary and secondary specialist centre for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions which would be attached to mainstream schools; or a new 250-place school which would include provision for pupils with autistic spectrum conditions.

Estimates for the 150-place option with specialist centres currently range from £42.2m to £58.1m; estimates for the 250-place option range from £36.2m to £51.2m. The Welsh Government would fund the majority of the costs.

Campaigners who staged protests when the council shelved original plans for a new Ysgol Heol Goffa at the former Draka copperworks site on cost grounds want a decision as quickly as possible.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Plaid cabinet member for education and Welsh language, said more work on design feasibility and costs was needed to enable the council to come to the correct decision - and he said he wanted that information “as soon as possible”

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Labour opposition leader Cllr Deryk Cundy accused the Plaid Independent administration of further delays and said its decision was “a kick in the teeth for the parents”.