A south Pembrokeshire school devastated by fire more than two years ago is expected to cost some £2.6m to reinstate, with hopes it will be open by April 2026, councillors heard.
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 ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while ‘hot works’ 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 council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a £200,000 insurance excess.
They have also been told that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council to its December full council meeting, local councillor Cllr Phil Kidney asked: “Manorbier School was subject to a serious fire in October 2022, so serious that the school premises has not been used since.
“At 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.
“At full council on October 12, 2023, Councillor Aled Thomas asked: ‘had the Authority been successful in recouping any of the £200,000 insurance excess that PCC had to bear.’
“At 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.
“Over 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?”
Answering Cllr Kidney’s question at the December meeting, Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said final negotiations with the insurers to achieve the most equitable settlement were ongoing, but it was “likely the insurance settlement will fall far short of the cost of renewing the school”.
He told members it was estimated the cost would be just over £2.604m, with hopes the works would take place from June 2025, with completion by April 2026.
On the insurance excess, he said: “We will join our insurers in any and every action they instigate against the contractors.”
Responding, Cllr Kidney said he had taken part in a recent positive meeting with Chief Executive Will Bramble, adding: “It’s over two years, hopefully we’re moving in the right direction, it’s good to get some clarity on time for the head, the teachers, the parents and pupils.”
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