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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25 be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Liam Bowen.
There were no declarations of personal interest including any party whips. Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest Cllr. B. W. Jones 6. Headteacher Groups Update Son is Headteacher of a school within Carmarthenshire. Cllr Jones has been granted dispensation by the Standards Committee allowing her to speak and make representations only. There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25 be received.
The Cabinet Member for Resources presented the Education, Children and Family Service budget monitoring report as at 28th February, 2025 in respect of the 2024/25 financial year. It was noted that overall, the schools forecasted to overspend £8.1million in-year, with an overspend of £3 million after fully utilising existing school reserves which equated to 3% on the Council Tax. The Committee reviewed the main variances across all of the services Appendix D reported that half the schools expected to end the year with positive balances to carry into the next financial year – while the other half did not, which is an unsustainable position. This will be closely monitored of positive progress by individual schools who've received – and still are receiving – additional support and advice. The Cabinet Member for Resources informed that a one-off Welsh Government grant funding of £2.2m had been received. The Cabinet Member for Resources informed that a budget underspend of £1m is forecasted for Education – excluding schools, with school meals also projecting to be on budget. The projection for the Capital budget forecasted an underspend of £17 million. Amongst the issues and queries raised on the report were the following: In response to a query regarding the ongoing actions to address school budget deficits, the Committee was advised that schools were endeavouring to address their financial position with the support provided by the consultant headteacher. It was reported that a full analysis of the budgetary position of schools, together with the key themes, findings and actions required going forward would be presented to the Committee in due course. The Committee noted that a piece of work was being undertaken with secondary schools on post 16 collaboration. In addition, the Director had established a strategic group consisting of secondary schools and Coleg Sir Gar on post 16 education and a report would be presented to the Committee in due course. In response to a query regarding the music service and what impact there would be across the County, the Director of Education and Children informed the Committee that he did not want to see any reductions in the service and would present a report to the Committee with an update, in due course. It was noted that Carmarthenshire’s music service was one of the best in Wales and something the County could be very proud of. A query was raised in respect of fewer pupils year on year attending schools and the impact of staffing. It was reported that the Authority was currently undertaking a catchment review, as this was last reviewed in 2010. RESOLVED that the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25 be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered a report in relation to Elective Home Education, which provided an update on: · The Authority’s obligations, · Maintaining a register, · Safeguarding, · Intervention, · Flexi-schooling and · Funding. The report highlighted the importance of collaboration between schools, EHE advisors responsible for supporting Elective Home Education learners and families. The service arranges appropriate lessons, to support learners throughout Carmarthenshire. These lessons are funded by the LAEG grant from Welsh Government. The report highlighted that officers do not have a statutory right to see children being home educated, if any concerns were raised then due process is followed. It was raised that since the report had been published, the number of children being home educated had risen to 736. The following questions/observations were raised on the report:- In response to a query regarding reasons as to why there were high numbers of pupils exiting school to be home educated at KS3&4, the Senior Manager (Integrated Children & Education Services) informed that since the end of April, 2025, a new system to capture data was in place which will provide a better picture in the future. It was requested for an update report be provided to the Committee in due course. In response to a query regarding how elective home educated children are registered with the authority, the Senior Manager (Integrated Children & Education Services) advised that a pilot was currently being trialled with Hywel Dda, and children were being cross referenced through the databases. Once the cross reference has taken place EHE advisers would be able to follow the CME process. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTE: Councillor B.W. Jones, having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting during its consideration but did not vote]. The Committee received for consideration the Headteacher Groups report, which provided members with an update regarding actions and outcomes on pertinent issues relating to school management, education policy and local authority initiatives. The issues/observations raised by the Committee were addressed as follows:- In response to a query regarding the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme, the Director of Education and Children informed the Committee that there were only 38 places available across the whole of Wales and Directors and Unions were lobbying Government to expand. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
The Committee received a report which detailed the progress achieved in relation to requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings of the Corporate Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee during the 2024/25 municipal year. It was noted that the action in red had been resolved and would be updated. RESOLVED that the report detailing progress in relation to actions, requests or referrals emerging from previous scrutiny meetings be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
The Committee received an explanation for the non-submission of the following scrutiny reports: · Modernising in Education Programme Progress Update · Update on the Welsh for Adults provision RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 21st January, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
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