Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Cllr J Scriven, L McClean, H O’neill and Officer S Walker.

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 received

To consider the attached report

Introduced by Cllr M Jones

The following questions were raised;

·       Are there any different issues arising within Merthyr?

·       Were the results of the ESTYN reports expected?

·       The report doesn’t include figures for ALN, why is this?

·       Referrring to 7.3 on page 30, only 2 schools particiapted in the programme, why only these particular schools?

·       What were the benefits of the programme and what are the areas for improvement?

·       In what way are these children disadvantaged, how is this measured?

·       In the context of 11.3 on page 62, was the support put in place for these schools adequate?

·       How do you respond to the lack of leadership?

·       Were warning notices issued to the schools regarding their poor leadership?

·       How long before action was taken to address these issues?

·       Are schools in Merthyr causing more concern than other local authorities?

·       Can I be assured that no school in Merthyr will ever be in significant improvement or speical measures again?

·       What is the outcome of enhanced monitoring?

·       With free school meals as an indicator of deprivation, how wll this be managed with universal free schooll meals in primary schools?

·       The CSC has ensured that they can minimise costs without an impact on quality of service, could you explain how you have managed this?

·       What can this Local Authority do differently?

No comments were raised.

The following reccomendations were approved;

2.1 Scrutiny members discuss the contents of this report and appendix and consider whether any further information should be presented.

To consider the attached report

Introduced by Cllr M Jones

The following questions were raised;

·       Was this an idea that was presented to the young leaders?

·       Could you explain the roles of leaders?

·       Are there any statistics you could provide regarding 5.17?

·       Will this be an opportunity for young people to have more of a voice regarding their wellbeing?

·       How will this information be collected and evaluated?

·       Will there be an opportunity for MTBWYF to contribute?

·       Why is there no evidence of practical work or response to the framework?

·       Why has 7.4 not changed since September 2021?

·       Why are there no statements regarding staff wellbeing?

·       Staff aren’t referred to once regarding wellbeing, can we address this?

·       Regarding 7.3, who is responsible for ensuring resources aren’t duplicated?

·       Regarding community focused schools, some of the funding comes from the levelling up fund, who has ultimate responsibility for fund allocation?

·       Is there sufficient provision for wellbeing and emotional needs i.e mental health first aiders?

·       What benefits does this bring to the LA, what cost did it come at and are we trying to make up costs by offering the system to other LA’s?

·       What can be done to increase governors’ interest in wellbeing?

·        

No comments were raised.

The following recommendations were approved;

2.1 The content of the report is discussed and consider whether any further information should be presented and noted.

To consider the attached report

The following questions were raised;

Could we brig forward the working group for the more able and talented?

Is it possible for co-optees to be invited to the councils budget workshops?

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.

No other business was deemed urgent by the Chair.