Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence received from Councillor Brent Carter and Claire Brown, Kath Phelan, Michelle Symonds and Karl Jones (Co-optees).

The Chair advised the members that Alan Rees has resigned as a Co-optee of this Committee after 16 years.   On behalf of the Committee the Chair wanted to express his appreciation for all his efforts and support over the last 16 years.    It was agreed that the Scrutiny Officer would send a letter of thanks to Alan Rees.  

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider the attached report

Sarah Bowen referred to the Attendance and Exclusions report and took members through the report in detail as follows:

·         The outcomes for attendance and exclusions in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

·         Progress against targets.

·         Key areas for improvement.

·         Where we want to be  -  in line with welsh averages.

·         Delivering Family Liaison/Attendance and Wellbeing Officer training to all Schools and relevant LA staff.   

·         The utilisation of Fixed Penalty Notices. 

·         Role of the Challenge Advisers.

·         Holding two attendance weeks for Schools to have attendance as a key focus.

Sarah Bowen provided background information in relation to the following questions:

·         Clarification on why MTCBC is the only Local Authority in Wales that operates an EWS financial SLA.   Why has this decision been made and can this decision be overturned?

·         Why are only 10 of the 20 Schools seen an improvement?

·         Clarification on reduced timetable arrangements for Children.

·         Does reduced timetable arrangements affect the School’s non-attendance figures?

·         Home School Children’s homes being affected by recent floods  -  is the Local Authority aware of these and, if so, are measures being put in place to support these families?

·         In relation to the decrease in the overall Exclusion of Children from Schools, does this mean that behaviour has been improved or are the Schools managing the behaviour more in-house.

·         With regard to the Nurture provision, are Schools being offered training to look at all aspects that surround the Child coming into the School etc.  

RESOLVED that:

The contents of the report be noted by members.

Resolved that:

The public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

To consider the attached report

The members were given an update in relation to Corporate Self-Evaluation – Inspection Area 1, and questions were asked by members and answered by the appropriate Officer.

RESOLVED that:

·         The contents of the report are noted by members.

·         Members to provide feedback to officers.

·         Members are in agreement with the outcomes outlined in the summary statement. 

To consider the attached report

The Committee considered and agreed the Work Programme.

The Chair advised that there were no updates on this matter.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the members reflected in detail on the items discussed in the meeting.

The Chair advised that there was no business deemed urgent.