A Welsh Government announcement on meeting net zero targets is among the reasons given for the increased cost of expanding a school in Penarth. The cost of expanding Ysgol Y Deri in Penarth increased from £11 million to £12.1 million in 2021. Overall, the project will cost £21.94m, with the council contributing £5m.
At a council meeting this week, the ward member for Plymouth in Penarth, Cllr Rhys Thomas, asked for the reason behind the "significant" cost increase. The Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet member for education, arts and the Welsh language, Cllr Rhiannon Birch, said: "The costs associated with the Ysgol Y Deri expansion have increased since the project was first consulted on in November 2020. Obviously, a lot has happened in the world since then.
"The original anticipated cost was £11m. This was increased to £12.1m to account for the Welsh Government announcement that all new schools needed to be net zero carbon in operation." The Welsh Government's minister for education and Welsh language, Jeremy Miles, made the announcement in November 2021.
