Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from J Beard

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

Presented by Cllr M Jones

The following questions were raised and answered by education and school planning officers S Walker, A Lewis and A May;

Do we have a directory for cost of living crisis support for parents and students?

Is there an opportunity to utilise school portals for cost of living support?

Can we ensure bespoke support packages for those who are in care or are carers?

Are there any assessments on the Snakes and Ladders project?

What is the benefit of additional meetings?

How can engagement be improved regarding attendance?

Will there be a follow up on the community spend?

What have we got in place to assist parents who will be entering poverty?

Do you want all schools to be involved with Community Focused Schools?

Adequate funding for family liaison officers?

Are Welsh medium schools excluded?

Are third sector organisations supporting schools?

Are school governors adequately informed on poverty?

How will schools re-coup the benefit and raise attainment from the community funding and projects?

Are there any needs-based assessments in schools? – if so, is there additional support for the schools most in need?

The following comments were made;

Cllr G Lewis thanks those for their support for accreditation.

The Chair emphasises that those in working poverty need to be reached and encourage confidential support. Extends thanks to the officers.

Recommendations as contained within the agenda were approved.

To consider the attached report

Presented by Cllr M Jones

The following questions were raised and answered by education and school planning officers S Walker, A Lewis and A May;

Do the children need to attend Rhydywaun for a Welsh sixthform?

Will the drive for Welsh activity in English schools encourage parents who went through the Welsh medium system to send their children to English language schools?

What percentage of children in English schools do GCSE Welsh?

The following comments were made;

There is a need for Welsh language support for those in sixth form.

A Welsh secondary provision would support the Welsh language growth in Merthyr.

Concerns raised regarding the cost of these provisions.

It’s not about targets, it’s about embedding Welsh language and culture within education.

Recommendations as contained within the agenda were approved.

To consider the attached report

Arrangements made for workshops regarding Estyn reports.

Importance placed on evidence and statistics.

No referals were received

Did we address the recommendations in each report and how have we added value?

Any outstanding actions?  Feedback from workshops / task and finish groups / enquiry days, etc.

The Chair thanks members for their questions.

No other business was deemed urgent by the chair