Concerns over condition of Ysgol Heol Goffa

A LLANELLI town councillor has claimed that Heol Goffa School is in a ‘dilapidated’ and ‘deplorable’ state.

The claim is being made by Andrew Bragoli, who represents Lliedi ward,

Councillor Bragoli said: ‘It is that shocking state of affairs, presided over by the Plaid-run Carmarthenshire county council that has resulted in about 500,000 pounds being spent on a big backlog of repairs and maintenance on the current school building.

‘It’s dilapidated and it is deplorable that such a situation was allowed to build up.

‘The only excuse was that a new school for Heol Goffa was going to be built between Ysgol Penrhos and the Pentre Awel development in Llanelli. Then Plaid pulled the plug on that and gave the go-ahead for the repairs.

Cllr Bragoli claims that there are leaking roofs, cramped and overcrowded conditions. He said: “Frankly you wouldn’t house prisoners in there. I’ve seen it for myself.”

Councillor Deryk Cundy, Leader of the county council Labour Group, said: ‘This has confirmed our worst fears of the treatment of our most vulnerable children and their parents. This money should be spent on the new school promised, not putting an expensive sticking plaster on an ageing facility whose future is unknown.|

“This Plaid Administration keeps saying that they are proud of their record of supporting ALN and High Dependency provision. If forcing our teachers to educate in severely overcrowded and dilapidated conditions is a measure of their standards, it speaks volumes about their lack of care and understanding of the need for these special students ”

Campaigners fighting for clarity on the school’s future have amassed over 6,000 signatures on a paper petition, and are continuing to collect more signatures, to present to the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.

Councillor Bragoli said: ‘This school has been left to go to dire distress. The floors are uneven, the rotting and smell of damp in there isn’t suitable for anyone, let alone the most vulnerable members of society.

‘I urge the public to show their support by taking part in the We Love Ysgol Heol Goffa march on Saturday, September 7, leaving the school at 1.30pm and proceeding into the town centre to Spring Gardens.’

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said: ‘It’s outrageous that the Plaid-run county council have abandoned plans for a new school for Ysgol Heol Goffa.

‘We must fight to get that school that the children really deserve.

‘Come and show your support by signing our petition at the stall at the Tyisha Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 10, from 12-4pm.’

Tyisha Labour councillor Andre McPherson said: ‘Some amazing things are happening.

‘There’s going to be bouncy castles, there’s going to be Princesses, there’s going to be free food. Everything is free.’
The event, organised by the Tyisha Positive Action Network, will be held on the green next to Paddock Street Community Centre, where the flats were knocked down.