Denbighshire will now move to the 'detailed design' stage for the Rhyl High rebuild project and commence the design process for improvements at Bodnant Community School in Prestatyn after Cabinet members supported the next stage in the process at their meeting today (Tuesday).

This design stage for both projects will cost approximately £1.8m and will enable the Council to proceed with its ambition to providing school buildings fit for 21st Century learning as outlined in its Corporate Plan.

The Rhyl High rebuild project is estimated to cost £24m and Cabinet agreed to fund the detailed design stage so that a full business case can be prepared.

The Bodnant Community School project will see the construction of approximately eight classrooms, a new school hall and supporting facilities on the current Junior site. This will enable the infant school site to be declared surplus to requirements.

The overall project cost is estimated to be £3.5m and the Council will carry out the feasibility/design work prior to formal approval of funding from the Welsh Government. The design costs will be approximately £300k

Cabinet Lead Member for finance, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, said: "Denbighshire has an agreed and ambitious 21st Century Schools Programme that will cost in the region of £74 million to deliver - we expect the Welsh Government will provide 50% of this funding.

"On top of this, we aim to invest a further £23 million on implementing area reviews, refurbishments, and other improvements to schools to ensure we are providing the best learning environments for our children and young people."

Further progress reports will be submitted to Cabinet and Full Council to move forward to the construction phase subject to funding.