A Cardiff city councillor has brought attention to the enduring quality of Victorian schools in the city compared to their more modern counterparts. At a recent Cardiff Council cabinet meeting, Councillor Russell Goodway shared his experience of visiting a school where the walls would visibly move outwards if pressure was applied to them. This revelation sparked concerns about the overall condition of schools in Cardiff, with Independent Conservatives councillor, Councillor Peter Littlechild, highlighting the need for greater investment in maintaining these historical school buildings.
During the meeting, Councillor Littlechild expressed worries about schools like Albany Primary and Roath Park feeling inadequate and necessitating significant spending on structural support like scaffolding. He emphasised the importance of not only focusing on constructing new buildings but also ensuring that existing Victorian structures are adequately maintained to meet modern educational requirements.
Recently, Cardiff Council launched a comprehensive five-year property strategy aimed at providing a roadmap for managing its estate effectively. A significant portion of the local authority’s property estate comprises the school estate, underscoring the need for strategic planning to address infrastructure challenges in the long term. Councillor Goodway acknowledged the mixed state of Victorian buildings but pointed out their durability compared to schools built in the 1960s and 1970s.
The councillor highlighted a personal anecdote where he encountered schools from the 1960s with structural issues, illustrating the varying quality of different eras of construction. He suggested that historical buildings, if adaptable to modern needs, may offer greater longevity and value than some more recent educational facilities. The mismatch in maintenance budgets allocated to newer schools versus older structures has influenced the current state of Victorian school buildings in Cardiff.
Cardiff Council has taken steps to address the challenges posed by deteriorating Victorian school buildings, with plans to relocate Lansdowne Primary School to a new location. The Grade II-listed Victorian buildings at Lansdowne Primary School have reached an “end-of-life” stage, prompting the need for strategic decisions regarding the council’s estate management. The council’s property strategy emphasises the importance of modernising the estate to reduce operational costs and ensure sustainable maintenance practices.
As part of its operational estate, Cardiff Council oversees 750 sites in the city, comprising 600 buildings utilised for various council services. The significant cost associated with managing and maintaining these properties highlights the necessity of a proactive approach to estate management. With a leased estate comprising commercial and community properties, the council faces a complex task of balancing operational needs with financial sustainability.
Cardiff Council’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by aging Victorian school buildings reflects a broader strategic focus on sustainable estate management. By recognising the enduring value of historical structures and implementing targeted investments, the council aims to ensure the longevity and functionality of educational facilities across the city. The ongoing dialogue around estate management underscores the importance of balancing preservation with pragmatic decision-making to meet evolving educational needs.
In conclusion, Councillor Goodway’s remarks have sparked a crucial conversation about the preservation and maintenance of Cardiff’s Victorian school buildings. As Cardiff Council navigates the complexities of estate management, strategic planning and targeted investments will play a vital role in ensuring the sustainability and functionality of educational infrastructure for generations to come.