21/09/22 

An independent sub committee could be introduced by Cardiff Council to ensure that a proposed land-swap deal required at Maindy to deliver a new Cathays High School manages any conflict of interest in the decision-making process. 

Cardiff Council, in its role as the local education authority, wants to use a part of Maindy Park charitable trust land for the new school. However, the Council's role as sole trustee of the Maindy Park Trust - which is responsible for the land - means that it has a conflict of interest when it decides on any change of use. 

A number of recommendations are now being brought to Cardiff Council's Cabinet when it meets on Wednesday September 28, to ensure there is an independent element in the decision-making process in relation to any land swap including: 

Cabinet Members  that have previously voted on decisions relating to the Cathays High School project would declare a conflict of interest, and so remove themselves from the land proposals, decision-making process. 

A Maindy Park Trust Advisory Committee  would be formed, made up of three independent members of the Standards and Ethics Committee and/or the Governance and Audit Committee. 

The Trust decision  will be made by Cabinet members that have not previously voted on decisions relating to the Cathays High School project, while taking the recommendations of the Maindy Park Trust Advisory Committee into consideration. 

The Council has already consulted on carrying out a land swap which would see a larger amount of parkland at Blackweir or at Cae Delyn, given to the Trust in exchange for any land required at Maindy for the new school.  The new decision-making process would consider the consultation and other relevant information. 

A full copy of the Cabinet report recommending the creation of the new decision-making process is available to download  here. Prior to going to Cabinet, the report is being looked at by the PRAP Scrutiny Committee, when it meets on Monday, 26^thSeptember.