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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 Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 February 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 15 January 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Frank Bradfield, Keith Eeles, Ifor Lloyd, Kay Redhead,, Jacob Williams and Stephen Williams (Parent Governor).
The following Members declared an interest in Agenda Item 8(a) – Consultation outcome report on the proposed federation between Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan: • Councillor Gwennol Ellis, as the Chair of Governors for one of the schools is her cousin. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Ellis remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed. • Councillor Nia Owen as she is a Local Authority appointed School Governor and Chair of Governors for Ysgol Llanddoged. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Owen remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon. Councillor Dilwyn Roberts as he is the Local Member and a Local Authority appointed School Governor for Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Roberts 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 13 February 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 February 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 February 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 15 January 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 15 January 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the School Budget Forum held on 15 January 2025 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme (FWP). Members were advised that work was underway to draft a FWP for the next municipal year. Committee Members would be consulted shortly and encouraged to suggest items to include on the FWP, all of which would be subject to the completion of a Scrutiny Topic Selection Form. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced a report on the outcome of the consultationon on the proposed federation between Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan and the Strategic Manager - Education Property and Site Management highlighted key points from within the report. Approval was sought to pause the federation proposal to allow officers to explore further options. Local Members provided their feedback as follows: Cllr Dilwyn Roberts – Councillor for Uwch Conwy and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan School Governor • Disappointment with the process and the length of time it had taken, which was unfair to School staff and the local community. • It was hoped that alternative options would be discussed with the Governing Body. • Estyn had raised concerns that no impact assessment had been carried out in respect of the Welsh language and local communities. Cllr Nia Owen – Councillor for Llanrwst and Llanddoged and Ysgol Llanddoged Chair of Governors. • The capacity of Ysgol Llanddoged was noted as 97, however this was not the case as one class was utilised by the ‘Cylch Meithrin’. • Many residents had experienced difficulties in completing and submitting the consultation. • Excellent joint working had taken place between the two schools. The Strategic Manager - Education Property and Site Management made the following comments: • The capacity of Ysgol Llanddged was being reviewed, however, a reduction would still result in there being vacancies within the school. • Issues with consultation completion may be related to incompatible devices and would be raised with IT. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was confirmed that, should Cabinet approve a pause, then further options to be considered would include one headteacher for both schools, amalgamation, federation and school closures. • Concern that no consultation responses had been received from school staff. • Amalgamation would require closing both schools and reopening as one, whereas federation would require the introduction of a single head-teacher and leadership team. • As federation was not favoured by the schools, it was queried as to whether federation with other schools was an option. - The Head of Education Services advised that federation could be considered between schools of the same status. - In respect of faith schools, approval would be required from the church for federation with non faith schools which was not encouraged. • The need to ensure that proposals were financially sustainable as cost per pupil at both schools was higher than average. - Estyn had raised concerns in respect of school finances and pupil numbers. - Consideration should be given to birth rates and parental preference. • School Governors should be afforded the opportunity to consider all options and provide their opinion. • Reference was made to a previous school in Llanefydd, which had closed due to delays in decision making and a lack of communication that had resulted in parents enrolling their children at alternative schools. • It was suggested that the impact on pupils with special educational needs (SEN) had not been considered. • It was the schools duty to ensure that pupils were consulted on proposals. • In respect of timescales, the Strategic Manager - Education Property and Site Management advised that a specific timetable was set out in the School Organisation Code, which had to be adhered to. • Groups such as after school clubs and community groups held at schools were welcomed, however it was down to each school to manage these proposals. • Reference to proposed additional housing in Llanrwst and the capacity of Ysgol Bro Gwydir. There may be a need for some pupils to attend Ysgol Llanddoged. • It was confirmed that whilst staff travelled between the two schools, pupils did not. • The schools had been operating with one head-teacher for the last two years which realised a cost saving. Joint policies and procedures would realise further savings and federation may negate the need to close one of the schools. • Good practice would be shared from schools who had been through amalgamation or federation. • Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan was currently in special measures. - The inspection report was published after the consultation deadline and therefore would not have impacted responses. - Support was in place for the School. • In response to a suggestion that a further report be provided to expand on the reasons that federation was not favoured, it was advised that no additional information could be provided and a further report would prolong the process. • It was proposed that the federation proposal be paused to allow officers to explore further options, to include further consideration of federation. - It was advised that federation had been consulted on and that responses were not favourable. - Should federation be kept in as an option, timescales would be delayed. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the federation proposal for Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan be paused to allow officers to explore further options, to include further consideration of federation. Note: Councillor Gwennol Ellis declared a personal interest in the above item as the Chair of Governors for one of the schools is her cousin. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Ellis remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed. Councillor Nia Owen declared a personal interest in the above item as she is a Local Authority appointed School Governor and Chair of Governors for Ysgol Llanddoged. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Owen remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon. Councillor Dilwyn Roberts declared a personal interest in the above item as he is a Local Authority appointed School Governor for Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Roberts 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.
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