Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Jago and Councillor D Isaac

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

Michelle Symonds declared a personal Interest in Item 3 as she is currently Chair of Governors at Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug.

Councillor Chris Davies declared a personal Interest in Item 3 as he is the Acting Chair of the 3Gs Development Trust.

To consider the attached report

Anthony Lewis introduced the item to the committee and highlighted the salient points within the report.

The following questions were raised by the committee and were responded to in detail by the officers in attendance

·         6.2 of the report states that you want to remove all D and C condition school buildings from local authority stock by the end of Band C i.e. by 2031 – can you explain how you plan to do this

·         Can further reports be brough back to this Scrutiny committee at an appropriate juncture when some of the work mentioned in the report has been progressed so that we can be kept abreast of any decisions that are being made by the Cabinet

The Chair commented on the excellent report thanked Anthony Lewis.

To consider the attached report

Chris Hole introduced the report to the committee and provided an overview of the content.

The following questions were raised by the committee and were responded to in detail by the officers in attendance

·         For future reference when providing percentages in reports can you also publish the actual figures along side

·         Inspire to Achieve and Inspire to Work were both funded by the European Social Fund monies have you received any indication whether the total cost of the projects will be covered by the Shared Prosperity Fund

·         In relation to the accreditations there has been a 50% drop which is to be expected as the accreditations are based on the engagements. Can you confirm if the figures cover both Council run youth services and any partners we commission youth support services from along with any legacy funded organisations.

·         Could more information be provided to committee in relation to core and grant funding and also a map of where the youth provisions are across the County Borough

·         Do you have the latest figures for NEETS and information relating to their destinations

·          Is it possible to share the Cabinet NEETS report with members of the committee and for a further report to be brought back to this committee after the October deadline

·         5.7 of the report lists some really key points in relation to the youth services approach to supporting young people during what have been a really difficult 18/19 months due to the pandemic. Can you please share the Youth Services survey results that were collated during the Pandemic and provide the committee with more information about the work being carried out around young people’s mental health and emotional well-being

·         7.4 of the report mentions that once guidance of the future Legacy Funding is available you will provide an analysis report and a transition plan to implement to the new guidance to Scrutiny and the Tackling Poverty Group. But at 6.4 of the report you state that if the Legacy Funding was to go it could mean the loss of several big youth providers. We are aware that you are currently waiting on decision from Welsh Government but where do you feel we are at the present moment in time with regards to the youth providers and the funding

The Chair thanked Chris Hole for the excellent report and for his attendance at the committee.

To consider the attached report

The current work programme was discussed and it was agreed to proceed with the items listed for the next committee meeting on 8^th November.

No Scrutiny referrals, feedback or follow up actions were received.

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.