THE closure of two Mochdre primary schools was rubber-stamped by Conwy Council’s cabinet today (Tuesday) in favour of a cost-cutting merger.
At a cabinet meeting at Bodlondeb, councillors voted in favour of closing Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin and reopening as one school – the newly named Ysgol Minafon.
The decision to close the schools was made earlier this year, but the cabinet were tasked with rubber-stamping the name of the new school and deciding to reopen at the current Ysgol Cystennin site on Station Road.
Conwy’s leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey proposed cabinet members backed the move.
He said: “In January earlier this year, we approved the proposal to amalgamate Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin.
“Under the proposals, the two schools would close and the new school for Mochdre would open.
“That new school would be called Ysgol Minafon, and it would be under the leadership of the headteacher Ashley Bennett.
“So basically, what we are looking at here from the new governors is to amalgamate two schools on one site.
“I was fortunate enough along with Julie (Cllr Fallon), the portfolio holder, to actually visit and go round with the headteacher to see what the proposals are.
“Having seen the site and what has been proposed, I think it is really exciting for those young people.
“I think it’ll be a really positive development and make the school more sustainable, and more importantly for me, it’ll provide a better education facility for a better opportunity for those young people.”
Cllr McCoubrey’s proposal was then seconded by deputy leader Cllr Emily Owen before being unanimously voted through.
Backbencher Cllr Paul Luckock asked for details on how much the merger would save.
Council officers said there would be savings between £28,000 – £50,000 in the school budget and that the move itself would be at very little cost.
Plans for the Ysgol Babanod Mochdre building are yet to be announced.
The council said in a report the move would reduce running costs, including building maintenance, utility bills, cleaning resources, and IT equipment, as well as staffing, including mid-day supervision, caretaking, and breakfast supervision.
Ysgol Minafon will open on 28 April 2025.
