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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 report be received.
RESOLVED that the Welsh for Adults Update report be noted.
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.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 20th January 2026 be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L. Bowen and H. Jones. The Committee was advised that Councillor. J.M. Charles was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor H. Jones.
Councillor Minute Item(s) Nature of Interest B. W. Jones 4. Modernising Education Programme: School Buildings Maintenance And New Build Design- Challenges, Actions And Strategic Improvements 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, but not vote. There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTES Councillor B.W. Jones, having earlier declared an interest in this item re-declared that interest remained in the meeting during its consideration but was not permitted to vote.] The Committee considered a report which outlined the challenges associated with maintaining school buildings in Carmarthenshire, the measures implemented to alleviate pressures on schools, and actions taken to streamline the design process for new build schools following lessons learned from previous projects. The report highlighted the diverse school estate within the county, which included a significant proportion of buildings constructed before modern standards for energy efficiency and accessibility. The Committee acknowledged the council’s commitment to ensuring safe, sustainable, and inspiring learning environments while balancing financial pressures and statutory obligations. The report concluded that the council’s approach to school building maintenance and new build design was evidence-based, proactive, and aligned with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. While significant challenges remained in terms of aging infrastructure, compliance, and resource constraints, the measures implemented and ongoing initiatives demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, sustainability, and the creation of inspiring learning environments for Carmarthenshire’s children and young people. A number of comments and queries were made and addressed in respect of the report. The main matters were as follows: · A concern was raised regarding some of the materials which had been used for newer school buildings which would incur higher maintenance costs; furthermore, in some instances it was considered that the monies to purchase costly items could have been better utilised elsewhere for the benefit of the pupils. Accordingly, a request was made for further consideration to be given in terms of the materials selected during the design process for new school buildings as part of the Modernising in Education Programme. Officers acknowledged the comments made and provided an assurance that work was ongoing to develop a stock of standardised designs for new school buildings which would balance the requirement to provide fit for purpose, cost effective and sustainable materials, as appropriate. · Concerns were raised regarding the budget constraints listed within the report which indicated that limited revenue and capital budgets constrained the ability to carry out all necessary and high priority maintenance works. It was confirmed to the Committee that the required works for school buildings was known and understood by the Authority due to the regular servicing programme, however CIPFA regulations prescribed that the revenue budget be delegated to schools to implement all repairs and maintenance, and schools were experiencing difficulties in instigating these works due to current budgetary constraints. · Reference was made to the proactive asset management programme which included regular condition surveys and the expansion of the School handyvan service to secondary schools and towards preventative interventions. It was clarified, in response to a query that the handyvan service pricing schedule was set in accordance with industry benchmarks, had delivered maintenance works to the value of £195k in 2024/25, with any works required outside the handyvan remit being allocated to schools for revenue budget costs or the Authority for capital budget costs. · In response to a query, the Committee was advised that the Authority maintained regular engagement with Welsh Government to maximise any funding opportunities, including the annual capitalised maintenance grant, though it was acknowledged that the provision and/or level of funding was not guaranteed and a decision was usually made in December or January each year. It was emphasised to the Committee that in addition to the need for new buildings and facilities, there was also a need to explore potential investment and refurbishment opportunities within the Authority’s current stock. The Director of Education and Leisure noted that officers were in regular contact with Welsh Government regarding funding opportunities and were utilising a number of funding streams such as the Welsh Language capital grant and the ALN capital grant to progress projects. He also noted that officials from Welsh Government had recently met with officers and visited a few schools in the county. · The Head of Economic Development and Property clarified, in response to concerns raised, that whilst the Authority’s costings for school repairs were currently being reviewed, the cost of utilising the Authority’s services could be higher in comparison to some local contractors due to the required level of construction and health and safety compliance protection included as standard in the costs provided by the Authority. • It was emphasised that the Authority’s schools footprint included building stock that was not conducive to providing learning environments fit for teaching and learning in the 21st Century. The Cabinet Member for Education duly referred to the Authority’s Modernising in Education Programme (MEP) Strategy which was designed to deliver on the Authority’s school modernisation and reorganisation aspirations and set out the Authority’s strategic investment and rationalisation plan to transform school provision across Carmarthenshire. In this regard, the Authority aimed to develop and improve buildings, infrastructure and spaces that are appropriately located, designed, constructed or adapted to foster sustainable development across the county. In response to comments made, it was confirmed that this could include the provision of area schools. • In response to a query, the Director of Education and Leisure provided a synopsis of the ongoing capital works programme for schools. It was confirmed that notwithstanding Welsh Government funding, the Authority’s capital funding programme for schools totalled £60m and therefore schemes would need to be prioritised accordingly. The key priority was progressing with a new build for Heol Goffa but there were other schemes in the pipeline and the Director pointed to the update provided to the Committee in October in terms of school refurbishments, major investment schemes, reorganisation proposals, Welsh Government Grant funding, Equality Act works, site/traffic works and the catchment review. The development of standardised designs for school buildings would assist the Authority in progressing at pace with initiatives if Welsh Government capital investment funding became available. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Welsh for Adults Update report be noted.
Further to the meeting of the Education, Young People and the Welsh Language [minute 6 thereof refers], the Committee received a report which provided an update on the current position regarding the Welsh for Adults provision for Carmarthenshire. The report noted that the Learn Welsh Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Powys service (under the umbrella of Aberystwyth University) became responsible for all Learn Welsh provision in Carmarthenshire since 1st September 2024, with all tutors and learners previously under the County Council transferring to the University’s provision. The Committee considered an update on the transition of the service in terms of the: · methods utilised to promote the provision. · course locations, enrolment figures for each area, including detailed information on the progress made by learners across the continuum of course levels. · data on the success rate of those who had undertaken exams. · mentoring initiatives to support learners. · provision of Welsh language courses available for businesses across the county. A number of comments and queries were made and addressed in respect of the report. The main matters were as follows: · The Committee was pleased to note the success of the transition of the learn Welsh provision. The Committee commended the University’s endeavours which had culminated in a 23% increase in the number of enrolments in 2024/25 and 71% of learners who had completed courses returning the following year, with 59% progressing to a higher level. The expansion of the course delivery for 2025/26 was also welcomed. · In response to a query, the Committee was appraised of the valuable work undertaken by the county’s Welsh Language Strategic Forum to enhance and promote Welsh Language initiatives. The Forum was a collaborative arrangement with representatives from a range of partners including Mentrau Iaith, Urdd Gobaith Gymru, YFC, Health Board, and Cymeithas yr Iaith. · Reference was made to the ffrind iaith (Language Friend) scheme which paired confident Welsh speakers with learners to support them on their language journey. The Cabinet Member was advised that further information on how to access this initiative would be circulated to the Committee. · In response to a query, the Director of Education and Leisure reported that any future update reports requested by the Committee would include this comparator data with other centres. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Welsh for Adults Update report be noted.
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 Scrutiny Committee during the municipal year. UNANIMOUSLY 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 report(s): · Headteacher Groups update UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 20th January 2026 be noted.
The Committee received a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting to be held on 20 January 2026. The main matters raised by members were addressed as follows: · Reference was made to the Divisional Service Delivery Plans whereby a request was made for these to be considered initially by way of a workshop outside the formal meeting process to enable members to be appraised of the main risks and focus upon the key areas for scrutiny. The Director of Education and Leisure agreed that a workshop would provide context to the information set out in the Plans and reported that the feasibility of a workshop within the required timescales would be explored. • Members conveyed their appreciation in respect of the Committee’s recent site visits to the Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centres (CSTLC) at Carmarthen and Burry Port sites. The visit provided members with an insight into the commendable work undertaken by dedicated staff to address the needs of pupils, together with an overview of the challenges faced by these centres. It was noted that further visits could be arranged subject to sufficient interest from members. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 20th January 2026 be noted.
Reference was made to minute 9 whereby the valuable work undertaken by Standing Advisory Committee was highlighted to the Committee which played a vital role in supporting schools in delivering the Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) curriculum. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 October 2025 be signed as a correct record.
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