Two reports, which together address the need to rebalance primary school provision in parts of North East Cardiff, will be considered by the local authority's Cabinet Members when they meet on Thursday 21, March.

Currently there is a surplus of primary school places in Llanrumney, whilst in Old St Mellons and parts of Pontprennau, additional places will be needed when the St Ederyn's housing development is complete.

The first report -"School Organisation Planning: The provision of English-Medium Primary School places in the Llanrumney area"- puts forward a strategic solution to reduce surplus places.

Several options have been considered to ensure a better match between the supply and demand for English-medium places in the Llanrumney area. FollowingCabinet's decision not to proceed with the earlier proposal to close Glan Yr Afon, the following plans have been put forward for consideration:

• Glan Yr Afon Primary School to be substantiated as a one form entry primary school with a 48 place nursery on its current site and federated with another Cardiff primary school, to be determined.
• To relocate St Mellons Primary School to the St Ederyn's development thereby reducing the capacity in Llanrumney by 0.5 form entry, subject to formal consultation.

The report also seeks the agreement of Cabinet for Council officers to explore funding options in order to bring the range of Early Years services delivered in the Llanrumney area together in one place, on the Glan Yr Afon site.

The second report -"New school provision to serve parts of Pontprennau and Old St Mellons"- outlines the Council's proposals to build a new school at the St Ederyn's development, east of the Pontprennau link road and within Old St Mellons.

The new primary school would allow St Mellons primary to relocate from its current site in Llanrumney. It would expand from offering 105 places to providing 210 places, with the potential for expansion to a two form entry in the future. The new school would also include a nursery, extending the age range from 4-11 years, to 3-11 years.

Capacity at the new school would accommodate the existing pupils, plus the expected increase in demand from the new St Ederyn's development. The school would be built by the developer, as part of the planning agreement with the Council, and funded through Section 106 contributions.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said:"The issue of surplus primary school places in Llanrumney remains a significant cause for concern. It places a huge financial strain on schools in the area, so finding the right solution is still a priority.

"Glan-yr-Afon has the highest proportion of unfilled places of any school in the area. By reducing the size of the school we can look at relieving the current financial difficulties and improve pupil outcomes at the school.

"Relocating St Mellons Primary School will also help to address the problem of surplus primary school places in Llanrumney, whilst at the same time ensuring that we meet the expected increase in demand in Old St Mellons."

A full copy of the reports are available to view online at www.cardiff.gov.uk/meetings