A DECISION to allocate more funding to a college proposed to replace all Torfaen sixth forms has been given the green light by authority’s cabinet.

Torfaen County Borough Council is currently waiting for Welsh Government approval on plans for a £20million college to replace all sixth forms in the county borough.

The council super college - operated by Coleg Gwent - was expected to open in September 2019 but has now been delayed to 2020 due to ongoing site surveys and design.

If approved, the 1,000-place college in Cwmbran town centre would replace sixth forms at Croesyceiliog School, Cwmbran High and St Alban’s Roman Catholic School in Pontypool.

Yesterday, Torfaen CBC’s cabinet agreed to allocate a further £267,000 to allow for further survey and design works on the site until the end of October this year.

A cabinet report outlined the funding will cover a whole site interpretation of surveys, designed site engineered solutions including flood consequence strategies and design development works.

Torfaen CBC’s leader, Cllr Anthony Hunt, speaking at the cabinet meeting, said: “It seems like the sensible thing to do to try and ensure there is no further delay and to move ahead with an important project”.

The new funding boost, agreed this week to forward the project, also follows several other large allocations this year.

This includes cabinet agreeing to the release of £300,000 on January 17 and £250,000 on June 13, for survey and feasibility works in order to “maintain” the college programme.

While a ministerial decision on the sixth-form centre is described as “imminent” by Torfaen CBC, the exact date of the decision is unknown.

If the college is not approved, any release of council funding expended on professional services up to the decision date will be met by the council.

A cabinet report adds that Welsh Government have verbally confirmed they will provide additional funding of between £4million and £7million to cover whole site works including flood prevention works and other infrastructure.

It also adds that “discussion remains ongoing” regarding written confirmation of this arrangement and if this funding is not confirmed, the scheme will potentially exceed the £20million budget.

Planning applications covering the construction of an access road, a whole site masterplan full application for the sixth-form centre will be submitted this year.

Pupils who have just started Year 11 wishing to take A-levels will complete their studies in their school sixth form with current Year 10 pupils being the first to set foot in the new facility.

The college is in Band A of the council’s ‘21st Century Schools’ plan which has seen several schools refurbished and three new schools open.