Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Isaac and Michelle Symonds, Co-optee.

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

A declaration of interest was made by Councillor Michelle Jones as she works with Flying Start looking after the supply for schools.

To consider the attached report.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting three new Co-optee Members, Lacy Phillips, who was in attendance as an observer as she had not completed the Code of Conduct and Scrutiny Training; Tracey Wilkes, Parent/Governor Representative and Jeff Beard, Member of the Governor Association.

Sue Walker provided a brief introduction to the Update on Education Data report and handed over to Betsan O’Connor to provide further information and detail with particular emphasis on the following aspects included in the progress report:-

·       Conditions for Improvement, Evaluation and Accountability

·       Expectations

·       Transparency

·       Improvement

·       Monitoring

·       Accountability

·       Intervention

The following questions and comments were raised by Committee and answered in detail by the officers in attendance:-

·       In terms of some schools being reluctant to come onboard, what are/were their concerns and are they now on board?

·       How will this strategy/report assist with the transition between years 6 and 7?

·       Would it be possible to have a forum style event on a regular/semi regular basis with year 6 and 7 teachers and yourselves to discuss and identify problems?

·       Recommendation 2.2 - can you explain how the Scrutiny Committee are going to further scrutinise and judge performance?

Observation –

This strategy is needed to see these improvements and to test the schools and going forward to ensure the challenge element, this will be a way to pull this information altogether and the progress framework will allow for better scrutiny.

The Chair thanked Sue Walker and Betsan O’Connor for the Report.

Resolved that:

a)    The content of the report be discussed and performance information scrutinised.

b)    Scrutiny Committee Members further consider how performance of schools may be scrutinised in the future and what Key Performance Indicators might be appropriate.

To consider the attached report.

The Chair welcomed Chris Hole and Sarah Ostler to the meeting and invited them to present the Early Years and Flying Start Update report.

C Hole provided a brief introduction and handed over to S Ostler to provide further detailed information on the report with particular reference to:

·       Childcare Commissioning Model

·       Current outreach approach

·       Developments within the Penydarren area

The following questions and comments were raised and answered in detail by the officers in attendance:-

5.1      Population trends – With similar interruptions in the past to Covid 19 (e.g. electrical cut-outs), has this been taken into account?

5.5.     Para. 2 Goitre Primary School Relocation – Clarity sought on whether this has this been approved, if so when is it scheduled to occur, the primary intention/other intentions, financially motivated incentive or part of development plan for Merthyr Tydfil and further Welsh medium accessibility.

What are the current case loads for Flying Start?

The Chair thanked the Officers for producing and presenting the Report and explaining the role of Flying Start.

Resolved that:

a)    Scrutiny Members consider the content of the report and to note and debate the challenges facing the delivery of childcare within the context of the Flying Start programme.

To consider the attached report.

The Chair introduced the item and explained to the Committee that the Work Programme can be revised and amended at any point throughout the year.

Resolved that:

The Committee approved the Draft Forward Work Programme.

The Chair advised that there were no new referrals.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected in detail on the items that had been considered in the Meeting.

The Chair advised that there were no items deemed urgent.