Ken Skates MS welcomes Welsh Government commitment to new Brymbo primary school

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates has welcomed the Welsh Government’s commitment to building a brand new primary school in Brymbo after an update from the Education Minister.

Mr Skates raised the matter in the Senedd last month and also wrote to the Minister, Jeremy Miles, to ask for a progress report on the plans for the new school to replace St Mary’s Primary.

In his letter to Clwyd South MS Mr Skates, the Minister confirmed Wrexham Council had not yet submitted a business case for the new school but that funding had been agreed in principle.

The Minister said: “I can confirm that the project is included in the Local Authority’s Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) for the second wave of investment (Band B). While funding for the Local Authority’s SOP has been approved in principle, the individual business case for the Brymbo project will need to be considered through the Welsh Government’s business case process in due course.

“No business case has been submitted as yet, as there have been some issues with the ownership and development of the potential site for the new school.”

The Minister’s letter concluded: “I do, however, understand that good progress is being made on a number of the land management aspects which are required in order to move things forward. I can assure you that my officials continue to work with Wrexham local authority and others involved in the development of the Brymbo site to secure a positive outcome for the area.

“I am also in no doubt that the proposed new school for the children in Brymbo remains a priority, which I look forward to seeing being delivered in the near future.”

The project is part of the second phase of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools scheme – the biggest school-building programme in Wales since the 1960s.

Mr Skates had previously expressed his disappointment that Wrexham Council opted not to prioritise Brymbo for investment during the first phase.

This week he said: “I’m grateful to the Minister for his detailed update and I welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to this project.

“When I talk to residents in Brymbo, the proposed new school comes up regularly. It has been talked about for a long time and people want to see it come to fruition. I’m encouraged by the progress the Minister has highlighted, and I hope that Wrexham Council will soon be in a position to submit a business case to the Welsh Government so that the plans can finally take shape.”