Asbestos report vindicates us on Cwmcarn School - Caerphilly councillor's claim (From Campaign Series)

This is a copy of the letter from the Headteacher on Friday:


Dear all,
We have now received the Management Survey and the experts have presented a very practial solution that will allow us to return safely to the site vey soon.

The survey identified damaged asbestos and asbestos debris most of which has been contained in roof voids for many years and this has always been controlled and managed in situ. Once again, we confrm that the airborne sampling has not revealed any fibre levels above the Level of Quantification and the HSE/HSL has confirmed that the asbestos has been managed appropriately.

The survey has identified that it is sensible to remove the asbesos debris located in the A Block so that we can maintain and renovate this section of the school in the future. This remediation will reduce any potential risks in the future and enable access to the roof voids in order to complete essential repair work. It is worth noting that this work could have been completed on a phased basis without the need to relocate the school population and this would have safeguarded the deterioration of the site during our absence. Indeed this is the approach that has been taken by CBCC with other schools.

The proposed first stage of work is to remove asbestos in the Gym and Canteen thus releasing the single storey block, Gym and Canteen by May. Block A would be sealed off and we would need temporary accommodation for an interim period. All of the asbestos could be removed by September thus ensuring that Cwmcan High School is free of any asbestos debris or damaged asbestos and any potential risk.

The Management Survey and Options Appraisal has been sent to CBCC and we will await their invitation to move this situation forward and agree our return date.

Yours sincerely.

They are misleading you all by quoting prices that do not revolve around asbestos. They are in no way vindicated and if this does not suggest a secondary agenda nothing will.

If you look at the Asset Management plan for the county Cemcarn require less money spent on them than 6 other secondary schools.

They will not rip the heart out of this Community.

In a statement released a few minutes ago, Councillor Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education, said of the survey: "I hope the community will recognise we had no option but to temporarily close the school in the best interests of pupils and staff." ............. So when is it going to open again as you say it was only temporarily closed.

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Kevin Ward - Editor wrote:
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Thankyou - as you can tell this is a highly emotive issue for all involved

Somebody is playing the system well here! Councillors will be judged on their actions (or lack of) and the electorate will not forget come the time for re-election..

Kevin Ward - Editor wrote:
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Dear Mr Ward, could you please send a journalist to talk to "Save Cwmcarn" , there is quite a big story if you scratch under the surface .

Thank you Editor for removing the inflammatory comments we don't need comments of that nature. As a supporter I hope this issue can be resolved as soon as possible to the satisfaction of all concerned. The best way forward would seem to be a meeting as soon as possible between the school and CCBC. The press releases from Councillor Passmore are not helping the situation at all but to the contrary are alarmist and contain some inaccuracies. Councillor Passmore states that the cost for the programme of work needed to remove asbestos and to make the site safe is £1.5 million. This figure is not entirely correct, the costs suggested in the Ensafe management survey are :-
Removal of Asbestos-£383,800.0
0
Reinstatement. -£281,350.00 giving a total of £664,150.00.
The first phase of the work could be completed in 28days . Porta Cabins would be required at a further cost of £297,225.08. The final cost would therefore be £962,375.08. There are also optional extras suggested at a cost of £622,575.08 I would stress the word optional. I would suggest that the councillor reads the report thoroughly to establish the history of the works carried out at the school and who has been responsible for signing off some of the works which has resulted in the amount of debris in some of the voids. She might not feel that the council has been vindicated quite so strongly! Work has been carried out at the school by CCBC in the vicinity of the debris, it must have been seen why wasn't it removed as it has been in other school's? It seems that the work could have been carried out with the pupils on site and £1.4 million could have been used for remediation and removal work. Talk around the table Council not through the press!

isobel57 wrote:
Thank you Editor for removing the inflammatory comments we don't need comments of that nature. As a supporter I hope this issue can be resolved as soon as possible to the satisfaction of all concerned. The best way forward would seem to be a meeting as soon as possible between the school and CCBC. The press releases from Councillor Passmore are not helping the situation at all but to the contrary are alarmist and contain some inaccuracies. Councillor Passmore states that the cost for the programme of work needed to remove asbestos and to make the site safe is £1.5 million. This figure is not entirely correct, the costs suggested in the Ensafe management survey are :-
Removal of Asbestos-£383,800.0

0
Reinstatement. -£281,350.00 giving a total of £664,150.00.
The first phase of the work could be completed in 28days . Porta Cabins would be required at a further cost of £297,225.08. The final cost would therefore be £962,375.08. There are also optional extras suggested at a cost of £622,575.08 I would stress the word optional. I would suggest that the councillor reads the report thoroughly to establish the history of the works carried out at the school and who has been responsible for signing off some of the works which has resulted in the amount of debris in some of the voids. She might not feel that the council has been vindicated quite so strongly! Work has been carried out at the school by CCBC in the vicinity of the debris, it must have been seen why wasn't it removed as it has been in other school's? It seems that the work could have been carried out with the pupils on site and £1.4 million could have been used for remediation and removal work. Talk around the table Council not through the press!

Well said - all we need is transparency and honesty.

The Ensafe desktop survey clearly states that the council were wrong to close the school immediately as the advice that CCBC had been given was not supported by the testing and sample results. There was clearly no change in the Asbestos Containing Materials and therefore no increase in risk. Due to the enforced and unnecessary closure Ensafe are of the opinion that works which would have been necessary at some point should now be carried out. The asbestos debris within the ceiling voids has accumulated as a result of failure to remove it adequately and CCBC would be prudent to consider their responsibilities and role in these matters rather than simply blaming the SchoolGovernors. Stop apportioning blame and work with the school as you claim to do. In the interests of the Health and Safety of the Staff and Pupils be Open and Transparent Council and discuss the way forward with the school. Stop trying to justify your actions!

So Cllr Passmore, the the Cabinet Member for Education has popped her head above the parapit to make a statement.
The real question is 'where has she been for the past six months whilst pupils, staff, parents and governors have been seeking her help, guidance and support.
Perhaps a photo would be good, just to let us know what this Cabinet member from Risca looks like