A SECONDARY school’s all-weather redgra sports pitch is set to be replaced with a 3G surface.
Council officers are currently in talks with Cwmbran High School and funding bodies over applying for grants to cover the cost of the soft, artificial grass pitch to replace the clay and limestone gravel surface.
Councillor Richard Clark, who is the Labour cabinet member responsible for education, confirmed the plans when asked if he would commit to providing the school with a state-of-the-art pitch.
Llantarnam councillor David Thomas asked the question at the council’s December meeting, the third successive full council meeting he’d raised what he’s described as a disparity in facilities between it and Croesyceiliog high school.
The Reform Party councillor said: “My focus is not on building a brand new school but on ensuring greater investment in the facilities and classrooms at Cwmbran High.
“Will the executive member for education commit today to demonstrating this council’s willingness to invest by providing Cwmbran High with a 3G pitch, as every other secondary school in the borough has? If this council is truly serious about education, the funding should reflect that commitment.”
Cllr Clark said: “The 3G pitch I’m happy to say is already in hand and officers are in discussions with funding bodies around applying for grants. Next year I understand they will convert the redgra to a 3G pitch.”
The cabinet member also said he recognised Cllr Thomas’ “passion” but said the council has demonstrated its commitment to all its schools, rather than a focus on just two.
He said it has invested in Cwmbran High and reminded Cllr Thomas he and other councillors earlier in the same meeting had supported a draft plan to invest £140m, from 2025, in schools including Cwmbran High.
Cllr Clark also said of the 22 local authorities in Wales only five pass more of their budget on to schools than Torfaen, which he said demonstrated its commitment to education.