A call for an update on a south Pembrokeshire school and the timeline for its rebuild more than two years after it was devastated by fire is to be heard later this week.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a âschool from schoolâ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Councilâs insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while âhot worksâ were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability has been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the councilâs insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a ÂŁ200,000 insurance excess.
They have also been told that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would âpursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fireâ.
In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council ahead of its full council meeting of December 12, local councillor Cllr Phil Kidney asks: âManorbier School was subject to a serious fire in October 2022, so serious that the school premises has not been used since.
âAt Schools O&S on February 6, 2023, Manorbier school was discussed and Councillor Stoddart queried the possibility of the contractor insurance covering the cost of the rebuild, to which the cabinet member advised, legal discussions were ongoing.
âAt full council on October 12, 2023, Councillor Aled Thomas asked: âhad the Authority been successful in recouping any of the ÂŁ200,000 insurance excess that PCC had to bear.â
âAt the same meeting I asked a question requesting an update on the rebuild of Manorbier School and was informed by the Cabinet Member that it would be included as part of a business case for further consideration by Cabinet.
âOver two years have now lapsed, since the fire and considerable disruption it has caused to the school and community, therefore could full council be provided with a full update with regards to the insurance claim in respect of the school fire and some timelines for the rebuild?â
Cllr Kidneyâs question will be heard at the December 12 meeting.
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