Welsh Ministers have granted Powys County Council a twelve week extension to consider proposals to create a new primary school in Brecon.

The council plans to merge Mount Street Infants School, Mount Street Junior School and Cradoc Primary School to create a new primary school as part of Education Transformation plans for the Brecon catchment area.

Earlier this year, the council undertook a statutory consultation on the proposal, which closed on May 12.

In accordance with the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code, the council is required to publish proposals within 26 weeks of the end of the period allowed for consultation responses.

The 26 week period in respect of these proposals was due to end on November 10, 2021.

However, the council applied to the Welsh Ministers for an extension of time, which has been granted and has now been extended for a further 12 weeks.

The council must now publish any statutory notice in relation to these proposals by February 2, 2022.

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “I would like to thank Welsh Ministers for allowing the extension of time for this proposal.

“This extension will give us time to work through and respond thoroughly to the complex issues raised during the consultation period. Once this has been done, a report will be submitted for Cabinet consideration.

“I would like to thank the communities of all schools for their patience. We recognise that these are difficult times but for this reason we must ensure that the work on this report is done thoroughly before any recommendations are finalised.”

Commenting on the further delay, Councillor Iain McIntosh said: “I have been informed that the decision on Cradoc Primary School’s future has been delayed again, for the third time, by the Education Department at Powys County Council.

“ I have contacted education officers, to try and find out why there has been a further delay, and have been informed that due to the significant volume of responses to the consultation, raising many complex issues, it has taken much longer than originally anticipated to work through them all.

“A letter from the council’s director of education, explains how the council have applied for a time extension to present a recommendation to cabinet, with a new deadline February 2 2022.

“As further uncertainty caused by these delays is affecting school staff and children, I have asked the education department to let me know what their recommendation will be as soon as possible. I’ll provide any further updates as soon as I, the school or governors hear more.”

For more information on Transforming Education in Powys, visit https://cy.powys.gov.uk/trawsnewidaddysg