Following record-breaking June temperatures that led some headteachers to close schools after the Met Office issued an "extreme heat" warning, calls are growing for clearer guidance on maximum indoor temperatures in Wales.
In a meeting of Monmouthshire's councillors, Chepstow's Mount Pleasant Cllr Paul Pavia questioned how Monmouthshire County Council intended to address "the increasing frequency of such events." The Conservative councillor noted there was currently no framework in place and it was "left to individual headteachers to make decisions and carry the risk."
"I don't think they should be left alone to do that," he said.
Proposal for Maximum Indoor Temperature
Pavia proposed that the council, via the Welsh Local Government Association, could "press" the Welsh Government for guidance on responding to extreme weather, such as establishing a maximum indoor temperature. He also enquired whether the council would consider presenting a report to a scrutiny committee examining the consequences of unexpected school closures, including lost learning and pupils missing out on free school meals.
Labour's Laura Wright, the cabinet member for education, stated that the "framework headteachers work with is with information shaped by Public Health Wales and the health board" but indicated further information and guidance could be compiled.
Support for a Maximum Temperature
She added: "Going forwards I think things like an indoor temperature would be good sense to have a maximum as well as a minimum. I'm happy to look at this."
The Abergavenny Groefield ward councillor further explained that more recent school buildings, constructed to meet net zero carbon standards, incorporate passive cooling and natural ventilation "rather than expensive air conditioning which is provided where necessary."
The discussion comes after June saw record-breaking temperatures across the UK, with the Met Office issuing extreme heat warnings that prompted some headteachers to close schools. The lack of a formal framework for such decisions has raised concerns about consistency and the burden placed on individual school leaders.
