Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lee Davies and Brent Carter.

The Chair advised that Councillors Clive Jones and Declan Sammon were in attendance as Substitute Members.

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

Rosa Lazell (Co-optee) declared an interest as she is Chair of Governors at Afon Taf High School.

Councillor Clive Jones declared an interest as he is a Local Authority Governor at Cyfarthfa High School but has dispensation to speak and vote on any matters. 

Councillor Sherelle Jago declared an interest as she is a Local Authority Governor at Bedlinog Primary School but has dispensation to speak and vote on any matters.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

The Chair welcomed Andrew Williams and Emma Willmott from the Central South Consortium to the meeting.

Andrew Williams and Emma Willmott then gave an overview and the impact of the support that has been provided by the Central South Consortium within their role as the school improvement service for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.  They outlined that each School within Merthyr Tydfil receives challenge and support from the team at CSC in line with the model that is advocated in the national framework.

The Committee then raised the following questions on the report and were responded to in detail by the Central South Consortium and officers of the Authority:

·         Headteacher post at Bedlinog Primary School.

·         Role of the Headteacher at Goitre Primary and Gurnos Nursery.

·         The Leadership Team within Bedlinog Primary School. 

·         The continuation of support from a Challenge Adviser at Bedlinog Primary School.

·         Impact on Children’s learning at Bedlinog Primary School.

·         The appointment of Chair of Governors at Goitre Primary School.

·         Clarification on the process of categorisation of Schools.

·         Areas of improvement within Cyfarthfa High School.

·         In relation to Cyfarthfa High School, clarification on the support in relation to the brokered outreach focusing on behaviour.

·         What impact would the Central South Consortium have on assessment methods across the Schools.     

·         Is the level of support provided by the Consortium dependent upon the willingness of the senior leadership teams at the Schools. 

·         The role of half termly school improvement forums with all schools that are categorised as requiring a red level of support.

·         Impact on Young People’s learning and achievements in Cyfarthfa and Afon Taf High Schools.   

·         Progress and continual improvement within Ysgol Y Graig Primary School.  

·         Level of support given by the Consortium to Schools. 

RESOLVED that:

The  contents of the report be noted by the members.

The Chair thanked the Central South Consortium for attending the meeting.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

Chris Hole referred to the report on Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) Strategy 2018-21 and gave members an update on the progress made against the NEET’s agenda in line with the previous strategy.

The Committee then raised the following questions on the report and were responded to by the appropriate officers:

·         What is the current position with Careers Wales in relation to GDPR requirements.   

·         In relation to destination information from the College Merthyr Tydfil which is now being shared with the Local Authority  -  what is the current position on young people attending colleges outside of Merthyr Tydfil.  

·         School NEET Panels  -  provision that meets the needs of Young People but is additional provision given to Young People’s families.

·         Progress on the Capita One System to monitor Young People and concerns in relation to the staffing levels for the development of the Capita One system.

RESOLVED that:

·         The contents of the report be noted by members.

·         A report on the contribution of post-16 employment projects to the reduction in 16-24 year old unemployment rate is submitted to this Committee at a later date for further discussion. 

·         Progress on the Capita One System be considered for inclusion in this Committee’s Work Programme.   

To consider report of the Chief Education Officer and Chief Officer Community Regeneration.

The Chair welcomed Paul Lewis and Amii Cooper to the meeting.

The report on Home to School Transport scheduled for Council on the 20^th March 2019 (attached at Appendix A) was brought to members’ attention, and detailed discussion ensued on its content together with the consideration of the consultation results.

It was also stressed to the Committee the importance of the new Admissions Policy and for this to be shared with parents. 

Members were advised that there was an error on 7.2 of the report  -  it should read 2020/21 and not 2012/21 as set out in the report. 

RESOLVED that:

Members were happy to support Option 2 as identified in the Council report. 

Alan Rees left the meeting at 4.20 pm.

The Chair advised that there was no update on this item.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected in detail on the matters that had been discussed, as follows:

Costs of transporting pupils to and from Rhydywaun  and agreed to ask Sue Walker to update Members on the costs.

Discussion ensued in relation to further training for Scrutiny members, and it was agreed that enquiries would be made with the Welsh Local Government Association and will report back to a future meeting. 

The Committee considered and agreed the Work Programme.

It was also agreed that consideration be given to including the Capita One System in order that the Committee can monitor its progress. 

The Chair advised that there was no business deemed urgent.