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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 minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 7 May 2024 be noted.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Dave Jones.
The following Councillors declared a personal interest in agenda item 6b (to provide members with feedback on the Home to School Transport Consultation and share recommended amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy) as they are Local Authority appointed Governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Gwennol Ellis; Hannah Fleet, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts; Carol Beard; Antony Bertola, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Keith Eeles, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Anne McCaffrey, Jo Nuttall, Julie Fallon, Gareth Jones, Paul Luckock, Aaron Wynne, Cheryl Carlisle, Samantha Cotton and Bernice McLoughlin. In addition, the following members of the Committee declared an interest in Agenda Item 6b (to provide members with feedback on the Home to school Transport Consultation and share recommended amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy: • Co-opted Member Roz Harrison as she is a School Governor for a church aided primary school and represents faith schools within the diocese of St Asaph. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Ms Harrison was able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Ifor Lloyd as his children attend Ysgol y Creuddyn. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Lloyd was able to speak and vote on the matter. • Youth Council representative, Alex Moore declared a personal interest as he is a pupil at Ysgol y Creuddyn. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Mr Moore left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 7 May 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 7 May 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 7 May 2024 be noted.
None.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and the School Effectiveness Officer highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was confirmed that Welsh language resources were available for English medium playgroups. • Recognition of the excellent work undertaken by Ysgol Aberconwy to promote and improve the use of the Welsh language within the school. • Conwy County Borough Council’s Estyn inspection had recognised the excellent provision for Welsh speaking pupils with additional learning needs (ALN). - A review of the ALN provision for all learners was currently being undertaken and would be presented to scrutiny in due course. • The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT thanked Education staff for their excellent work in developing the WESP, which set out a clear plan to improve Welsh in schools. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the content of the Conwy Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) action plan be noted and approved. That Members continue to support and promote the Conwy Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) action plan and the work of all key stakeholders.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced a report, which provided feedback on the Home to School Transport Consultation and recommended amendments to the policy. The Strategic Manager, Property and Site Management highlighted key points from within the report and provided Members with a presentation and video which set out proposed changes to the policy. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The importance of providing transport to Welsh medium schools was recognised. • It was confirmed that independent travel would be promoted and encouraged where possible. • The behaviour code was set by Welsh Government (WG) and did not cover instances of pupils who did not utilise the transport allocated to them. - The Head of Education Serviced advised that a new structure including ‘traffic trainers’ who could work with families and schools regarding attendance would be introduced. • In respect of the need to provide evidence of faith, best practice from other authorities would be considered and advice would be sought from the local diocese. • Discretion would be used in respect of transport for children looked after, particularly for those who could have temporary addresses.. - It was noted that the Oak Tree Project provided support to children in temporary accommodation. • Post 16 pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) would be provided with transport to the nearest school that was suitable for their needs. • It was confirmed that the requirement for a medical consultant to certify a long term need for transport due to a medical condition was already included within the existing policy. • As there were many variables, it was not possible to provide exact figures in respect of projected savings. Indicative savings would be provided prior to budget setting discussions. • The Head of Education Services advised that work was taking place to review processes, including the appeals process and there had been a reduction in overspend. • It was confirmed that information had been gathered from 5 Local Authorities who shared a similar demographic to Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) and who were also reviewing their home to school transport policies. • Assurance was provided that the proposed recommendations were achievable. • Concern was raised in respect of some post-16 pupils being unable to pursue their chosen career if their nearest college did not offer the relevant course. - It was noted that some colleges did not offer agricultural courses though the medium of Welsh. • It was suggested that attending a faith school was a personal choice and that all schools provided a well-rounded education which encompassed elements of faith. • It was acknowledged that changes were only being proposed due to budgetary constraints. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the recommendations in respect of the 8 areas of discretionary Home to School Transport be approved as follows: · Transport to Welsh medium schools over the statutory distance when not the nearest school – Retain · Transport for learners who change address during the exam years of their education so that they can remain at the same school – Remove and potentially save £25,000 · Transport to denominational schools over the statutory distance – Amend so that evidence of faith can be requested and potentially save £48,000 · Transport for Gypsy Roma Traveller children within the statutory distance – Retain · Provision of transport to two residences where parents live separately – Amend - restricted to transport within Conwy County Borough. · Post 16 transport over the statutory distance – Amend to provide post 16 transport to the nearest educational establishment (the nearest or catchment secondary school / Welsh medium school or to the nearest F.E. college) over the statutory distance · Transport for pupils with medical conditions or additional learning needs (ALN) – Review transport provision in line with existing policy · School transport for other/specific reasons– Review transport provision in line with existing policy b) That amendments to the Home to School Transport Policy be made to reflect the above decision. Note: The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the above item as they are Local Authority appointed Governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Gwennol Ellis; Hannah Fleet, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts; Carol Beard; Antony Bertola, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Keith Eeles, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Anne McCaffrey, Jo Nuttall, Julie Fallon, Gareth Jones, Paul Luckock, Aaron Wynne, Cheryl Carlisle, Samantha Cotton and Bernice McLoughlin. Co-opted member Roz Harrison declared a personal interest in the above item as she is a School Governor for a church aided primary school and represents faith schools within the diocese of St Asaph. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Ms Harrison was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Ifor Lloyd declared a personal interest in the above item as his children attended Ysgol y Creuddyn. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Lloyd was able to speak and vote on the matter. Youth Council representative, Alex Moore declared a personal interest in the above item as he is a pupil at Ysgol y Creuddyn. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Mr Moore left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.