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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
AGREED that the update be received.
AGREED that the update be received.
AGREED, that the next meeting be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, 19th March 2026.
The Chair welcomed Councillor Emlyn Schiavone, representing Carmarthen Town Council, to his first Forum meeting. The Chair informed the Forum that Mr Allan Carter, Schools Transformation and Change Manger had formally taken over Simon Davies’ role, taking on responsibility for MEP and School Organisation and Admissions.
Apologies for absence were received from D. Williams and A. Howells, Headteacher representatives and J. Holliday the Local Community Representative.
AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 20 March, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
– the Admissions Policy for 2026/27 was approved by the Director and published on the Admissions website in April 2025. – a request to have an update on the Removal of the Rising 4’s gap analysis has been added to today’s agenda for discussion.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
The Schools Transformation and Change Manager provided the Forum with a verbal update on the MEP. Carmarthenshire’s Strategic Plan for school modernisation, aimed to create an efficient, community-focused education network. Officers worked in partnership with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) programme. The latest review was completed in Autumn 2024, with the revised strategy approved on 24 November 2024. Key Project updates were provided to members on the following:- SCfL Band B • Bryngwyn Comprehensive: £15m refurbishment, completion Dec 2026. SCfL Rolling Programme • Ysgol Heol Goffa: New special school (£35m). • Ysgol Gwenllian: New Welsh-medium primary (£15m). • Ysgol Dewi Sant: New Welsh-medium primary (£25m). School Reorganisation • Age range changes (4–11 to 3–11) for several schools. • Addressing capacity imbalances, transport efficiency, WESP requirements, and housing impacts. Statutory consultations were nearing completion to change the following schools from 4-11 to 3-11: · Laugharne VCP School (Joint governing body and LA proposal) · Ysgol Llanybydder · Ysgol Cwrt Henri · Ysgol Y Twmbl · Ysgol Y Ddwylan · Ysgol Bro Banw (linked to consultation on the proposed closure of Ysgol Feithrin Rhydaman) · Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman (linked to consultation on the proposed closure of Ysgol Feithrin Rhydaman) There are proposals for Cabinet approval to enter consultation on the following schools: · Ysgol Meidrim · Ysgol Y Fro Cabinet approved this week to proceed to Statutory Notice of Closure: · Ysgol Llansteffan Through the Welsh Government WESP Capital Grant, Ysgol Y Strade will construct a Welsh Medium Immersion Centre to support learners in transition to Welsh medium education The Forum was informed that 100% grant funded projects from Welsh Government have been completed or were nearing completion. Various schools were in receipt of Welsh Government Additional Learning Needs Capital Grants. The review of Carmarthenshire’s school catchment areas is nearing completion. The current map has remained largely unchanged since 2010, aside from minor adjustments following school reorganisations and closures. Officers are working with the 6 VA schools to map the VA schools boundaries before publishing on Carmarthenshire’s catchment areas. In response to a query as to why the Admissions Policy and School Transport policy were not working together, the Schools Transformation and Change Manager informed the Forum that officers have to work with the system currently in place AGREED that the verbal update be received.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
The Schools Transformation and Change Manager provided the Forum with a verbal update on the Rising 4’s policy changes from September 1st, 2025. Schools are categorised into 8 groups, for the gap analysis including the following:- 1 3 - 11 school with non-maintained delivering care provision on school premises 2 3 - 11 school with Flying Start provision 3 3 - 11 school 4 4 - 11 school with Flying Start or approved non-maintained delivering PT education to 3 year olds on school premises 5a 4 - 11 school with approved non-maintained delivering PT education to 3- year-olds on school premises 5b 4 - 11 school with approved non-maintained delivering PT education to 3 year olds in the community in close proximity to school 5c 4 - 11 school with approved non-maintained on site or in community but where there are concerns regarding standards, long term sustainability of staffing or space for additional numbers 6 4 - 11 school with no PT education in close proximity AGREED that the verbal update be received.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the verbal update be received.
The School Organisation & Admissions Manager informed members that from the academic year 2027/28, there will be a duty on the local authority to co-ordinate the administration of admissions applications for all faith and voluntary aided schools in the County. There is currently a pilot with 6 schools, which has streamlined the administrative process, making it easier for parents to navigate whilst taking the pressure off schools. Feedback from the pilot was very positive. The next steps will be to extend the pilot to mid-year applications and nursery applications. AGREED that the verbal update be received.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the update be received.
The School Admissions Development Officer provided a verbal update on school places and capacity, informing members that there were currently enough spaces for all pupils. An online “when to apply” calculator, based on date of birth entry, is now available on the website. The language in the parent booklet for academic year 2026/27 has been simplified and has been published on the website, making it more accessible to all. AGREED that the update be received.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the update be received.
The School Organisation and Admissions Manager provided a verbal update on the Welsh Government Annual Forum Report 2024/25. All deadlines have been met and response will be sent by 29th November, 2025. It was noted that the Draft Admissions Policy would be simplified in advance of consultation with stakeholders in January 2026. AGREED that the update be received.
The Chair on behalf of the Forum thanked the Admissions Team for all of their hard work working on different projects.
Decision as recorded
AGREED, that the next meeting be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, 19th March 2026.
AGREED, that the next meeting be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, 19th March 2026.
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