Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr C Jones and Cllr J Scriven. 

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.

The Chair updated Committee on the Forward Work Programme and added that the Programme would be kept flexible in order to add things as necessary. 

The Chair then gave a summary of the ‘Draft Forward Work Programme 2024/2025.’ 

Resolved that: 

Scrutiny Members agree the items set out in the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme (Appendix 1). 

To consider report of the Director of Education

Councillor G Thomas highlighted the success of the National Eisteddfod and thanked Officers for their contributions. 

Councillor G Thomas also congratulated Joshua Morgan, a teacher at Greenfield Special School, who was a finalist of the Welsh Learner of the Year competition at the Eisteddfod. 

Councillor G Thomas then introduced and led the Committee through the report and together with Officers responded to the following questions raised by the Committee: 

·         Has any progress been made in relation to Welsh secondary schools? 

·         In relation to 5.11, has the engagement in communities and schools improved? 

·         Risks regarding a lack of Welsh medium secondary schools in the Borough.

·         How can the wider body of work that has been done be better promoted in the community?

·         What additional risks are involved by finance in Welsh medium education? What does the finance risk look like? 

·         Regarding 5.15, where will the LRB be?  

·         When does the Educational Psychologist start?  

·         In relation to 4.1, is there any information regarding a permanent site? 

·         10-hour Welsh course - is there an expectation for existing employees and school staff to do a particular level of Welsh for their roles? 

The Chair thanked the Officers for the report and their responses to the questions raised.

To consider report of the Director of Education

Cllr G Thomas introduced and led the Committee through the report and together with Offices responded to the following questions raised by the Committee:  

·         In relation to 6.1, what would the challenges and benefits be of implementing such a system? 

·         Are there any opportunities identified to work with schools regarding procurement? 

·         Do the schools supply the figures? 

·         Regarding 5.7, will those reductions be expected from the start? 

·         What would happen if the teachers’ pay increase was agreed?  

·         In relation to 7.3 and 7.4, is it fair to link schools in deficit with leadership? 

·         Regarding 4.4, how is this going to affect the quality of education for students?  

·         What is the increase of class sizes and the workload of staff? 

·         Would it be possible to include pupil numbers and the change in pupil numbers in the report? 

·         In relation to 6.2, do you have a forecast for the staff reductions? 

·         Has the impact of cutting additional subjects been considered? 

The Chair thanked the Officers for the report and their responses to the questions raised.

To consider report of the Director of Education

Cllr G Thomas introduced and led the Committee through the report and together with Offices responded to the following questions raised by the Committee:

·         What is the role of Community Focused Schools and how is this adding value to schools and education? When does that grant funding end? 

·         Is an increase in money key for improvements? 

·         What does the CSC do to contribute to the improvement of schools across the LA? Where is the evidence to support the need to continually utilise them? 

·         Clarification and explanation regarding Performance and Scrutiny Team judgement. 

·         Can you give more information regarding free school meals eligibility? 

·         What other areas of bullying are there? 

·         How as a Local Authority are we supporting schools with anti-racism? 

·         In relation to 3.4, what stakeholders do you think are missing? 

·         Can we have a report on Key Stage 4 Staff absenteeism?

The Chair thanked the Officers for the report and their responses to the questions raised.

To consider referrals made to Scrutiny for inclusion in the Forward Work Programme.

The Chair advised that no referrals had been received.

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

The Committee agreed that they had considered the reports that had been presented and their recommendations.

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

The Chair advised that there was no feedback. 

The Chair advised that there was no other business deemed urgent.