Loading
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 Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 July 2024 and 16 July 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 15 July 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Keith Eeles, Anne McCaffrey and Austin Roberts.
The following Members declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 (Federalisation/Amalgamation of schools in the County Borough) as they are Local Authority appointed School Governors for the schools being discussed: Councillors Penny Andow, Goronwy Edwards, Alan Hunter, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Bernice McLoughlin, Nia Owen, Kay Redhead and Dilwyn Roberts. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, the Councillors remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 July 2024 and 16 July 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 July 2024 and 16 July 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 July 2024 and 16 July 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 15 July 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 15 July 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 15 July 2024 be noted.
None
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
Members were presented with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced the Employability and Skills Annual Report and the Employment Manager highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was requested that details of upcoming jobs fairs be circulated to Members. • The excellent variety of services offered was acknowledged. • The low level of skills amongst 16 years olds, particularly boys; it want noted that attainment data was shared with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • Work was ongoing to secure funding for the continuation of the excellent work carried out in respect of skills and employability. • As funding provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund would come to an end in November 2024, discussions were taking place on a regional basis in respect of alternative ways of service delivery. • From 2019, employability sat under the Education portfolio which had helped to provide better continuity. • Figures relating to young care leavers would be circulated to Members. • As only 6 Conwy Schools took part in the M-Sparc entrepreneurship programme, it was suggested that better promotion was required. RESVOLVED: That the Employability and Skills Annual Report be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced three reports which sought approval to consult on the federalisation and amalgamation of schools and the Strategic Manager - Education Property and Site Management highlighted key points from within the reports. The three reports presented were: • Consultation on the proposed Federation between Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. • Consultation on the proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod. • Consultation on the proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen. In scrutinising the reports, Members discussed the following: • The wording within the consultation document for the proposed federation between Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan would be reviewed in order to clarify whether each school would continue to receive its own budget. • Whilst Ysgol Glan Morfa, which was a Welsh language school, shared a site with Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod, it was confirmed that it would not form part of the proposed amalgamation. • The importance of Welsh language, especially for rural schools. • It was suggested that more information should be included within the consultation document as to why a new school would no longer be built in Abergele. • It was also suggested that detailed information be made available to the public in respect of unfilled school places and unit costs per pupil per school. • Amalgamating infant and junior schools which were on separate sites would allow for a better transition for pupils throughout their time at primary school. • Staff were supportive of the proposed amalgamations. • School amalgamations would realise some financial benefits. • It was confirmed that transitional protection would offer a three year protection for schools who were amalgamated in order to assist with the transition. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That approval be granted to proceed to consultation, which proposes to establish a federation between Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. b) That approval be granted to proceed to consultation, which proposes to formally amalgamate Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod as one school. c) That approval be granted to proceed to consultation, which proposes to formally amalgamate Ysgol Y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen as one school. Note: The following Members declared a personal interest in the above agenda item as they are Local Authority appointed School Governors for the schools being discussed: Penny Andow, Goronwy Edwards, Alan Hunter, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Bernice McLoughlin, Nia Owen, Kay Redhead and Dilwyn Roberts. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, the Councillors remained in 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.