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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 Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 January 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Conwy Skills and Employability Strategic Board held on 4 October 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 6 December 2022 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 Antony Bertola, Keith Eeles, Ifor Lloyd and Jo Nuttall.
Councillor Kay Redhead declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 9 ii) (Canolfan Addysg Conwy Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Funding), in respect of appendix 1 (Funding Models Consultation) as she is a Parent School Governor. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Redhead left the meeting whilst the financial information was being discussed.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 January 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 January 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 January 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Conwy Skills and Employability Strategic Board held on 4 October 2022 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Skills and Employability Strategic Board held on 4 October 2022 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Conwy Skills and Employability Strategic Board held on 4 October 2022 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 6 December 2022 be noted.
The minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 6 December 2022 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 6 December 2022 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. The revised Skills and Employability Strategy would be presented to the next meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 April, 2023. It was suggested that the financial performance of schools be included within the FWP. - In response, the Head of Education Services advised that school finances would be discussed as part of the School Budget Forum. - Corporate Finance provided support to schools in respect of budget allocations. - The Cabinet Member for Education advised that Budget Working Groups would meet regularly and would include discussions on school finances. 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 a report on the outcome of a statutory consultation that had been undertaken in line with the School Organisation Code from 5 December 2022 until 27 January 2023, in relation to the relocation of the Foundation Phase Behaviour Resource to the Canolfan Addysg Conwy: Y Ddraig Goch site. The Social Inclusion Service Manager highlighted the following: • The consultation had received 8 responses with no objections to the proposal to relocate the Foundation Phase resource base. • The inclusion of the Foundation Phase into Canolfan Addysg - Conwy’s Pupil Referral Unit portfolio would strengthen Conwy County Borough Council’s (CCBC) approach to behaviour management across all Key Stages. • The capacity of the resource currently met the need with 7 places available. • There were no revenue implications as the funds for the resource base were already allocated within the Education budget for Additional Learning Needs provision. • Incorporating the Foundation Phase Resource base within the Canolfan Addysg Conwy structure would allow for enhanced resource management of behaviour provision, singular oversight by one Head Teacher, and integration within overall Conwy Social Inclusion Service planning. Members were supportive of the proposal. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the relocation of the Foundation Phase Resource for Behaviour to Canolfan Addysg Y Ddraig Goch be approved.
(Note: Gwyn Owen (Headteacher – Canolfan Addysg Conwy) was in attendance for this item.) The Cabinet Member for Education introduced a report providing the outcome of a consultation on the funding arrangements for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provision at Canolfan Addysg Conwy. The Social Inclusion Service Manager highlighted the following points: • The key stage 4 PRU provision also included home tuition for pupils who were unwell. • Both key stages were currently subject to a 2 year Service Level Agreement (SLA), which posed a risk to the Local Authority in respect of providing PRU provision should all schools withdraw from the SLA. • Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) had a legal duty to provide education for learners ‘other than at school’ for learners in Conwy County. • Two options were presented for the long-term funding of Canolfan Addysg Conwy: - Option 1 - the withdrawal of delegation with effect from 1 April 2024. Funding would be retained centrally by the Local Authority and services provided on a needs-led basis. - Option 2 - The SLA option would remain in place for Key Stages 3 and 4 with a portion centrally retained for those that opted not to buy in. Schools would have the option of opting in fully or opting out with the return of a percentage of a delegated amount. This option would be in place on a 3-year basis. • As consultation opinions had been divided, with secondary Headteachers and staff returning opposing views, it was proposed that option 2 be supported as an interim measure, with a view to revisit funding options at a later date. • It was important to ensure that Canolfan Addysg Conwy could continue to develop and that CCBC was able to continue to deliver its statutory duty. The Headteacher of Canolfan Addysg Conwy provided the following update in respect of the PRU: • Feedback from an ESTYN inspection carried out in 2022 had been positive. • The PRU provided provision for pupils facing a multitude of issues and challenges, who had not been able to access mainstream provision. • Many pupils left the provision having gained qualifications. • Specialist classes and teachers were in place, which met pupil needs. • No savings would be realised if the provision was to be delivered by individual schools, as pupils would still require specialist support and resources. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was queried as to whether any quantifiable evidence had been gathered in relation to pupil outcomes in respect of PRU provision delivered within schools. - Canolfan Addysg Conwy had the experience and skills required to meet pupil needs. - All schools were facing increased challenges in respect of behaviour following the Covid-19 pandemic. - The Social Inclusion Manager advised that no evidence was available at present due to the uncertainty regarding the future direction of the provision. - If a school opted out of the SLA a framework would be implemented and inspections would be carried out. - Schools would be required to provide adequate staffing and resources to meet pupil needs. • It was queried as to why CCBC had a different financial model to that of other Local Authorities. - In response, the Social Inclusion Manager advised that due to historical decisions, funding for the PRU provision sat within a delegation model. - Funding was retained centrally within other Local Authorities. • Consideration should be given to staff skills and knowledge developed within the Canolfan Addysg Conwy PRU. - Specialist staff and resources were required to adequately meet pupil needs. • Reference was made to the different opinions expressed by Secondary Headteachers and Canoflan Addysg Conwy staff in respect of options 1 and 2. Note: Councillor Kay Redhead left the meeting at this point. • It was queried whether feedback was available in respect of the school who did not opt in to the SLA. - In response, the Social Inclusion Manager advised that CCBC had oversight of the provision delivered by the school and were involved in strategic issues such as the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Transformation Programme. - Pupils requiring an Individual Development Plan (IDP) were considered centrally. - It was difficult to provide a direct comparison between provision delivered within a school and the PRU. • It was queried as to whether there had been an adverse impact on pupils in respect of the school who had delivered the PRU provision locally. - In response, the Social Inclusion Manager advised that learners had not been adversely affected. - The Local Authority had continued to have an overview of the provision. Note: Councillor Kay Redhead re-joined the meeting at this point. • It was queried as to whether past and present pupils had been consulted regarding the proposals. - In response, the Social Inclusion Manager advised that pupils had not been consulted as financial considerations were not relevant to them. • Reference was made to the importance of having safeguards in place to deliver statutory duties, which included Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision. - The Social Inclusion Manager confirmed that schools opting out of the SLA would be liable for the delivery of the provision. - The use of centrally retained funding was at the discretion of CCBC and was not a backup option for schools who had failed to deliver the provision. - A decision to opt out would be for a period of 3 years. • It was queried as to whether option 2 was recommended by Officers. - In response, the Social Inclusion Manager confirmed that option 2 was recommended by Officers with a view of further debate in respect of long term funding options. It was proposed and seconded that: • An update report be provided in 18 months’ time, which included feedback from Headteachers, Officers and the PRU highlighting any issues and concerns in respect of schools who had opted out of the SLA. • That option 2 be recommended to Cabinet for approval. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That an update report be provided in 18 months’ time, which included feedback from Headteachers, Officers and the PRU regarding issues and concerns in respect of schools who had opted out of the Service Level Agreement. b) That option 2 be approved: - That the Service Level Agreement option remains in place for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 with a portion centrally retained for those that opt not to buy in. Schools would have the option of opting in fully with the full amount delegated or opting out with the return of a percentage of delegated amount. This option would be in place on a 3-year basis with schools committing to opt in or opt out for the duration of the 3 years. Note: Councillor Kay Redhead declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item, in respect of appendix 1 (Funding Models Consultation) as she is a Parent School Governor. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Redhead left the meeting whilst financial information was being discussed.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced a report on the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme seeking approval for the recommended Priority Project Scoring Matrix. The Strategic Manager, Education Property and Site Management highlighted the following: • There were currently 9 areas/schools identified for review under the programme, which were agreed by Cabinet in May 2019. • The 9 areas/schools were identified by analysing several factors such as unfilled places, excessive school places, backlog maintenance and free school meal provision. • External pressures including the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine War had resulted in the Welsh Government (WG) changing the timeline from a five year fixed term programme to a 9 year rolling programme. • Due to the rise in construction costs, the number of projects that could be delivered within the programme would be reduced. • The draft scoring matrix template (included within appendix 2 of the report) included several scoring criteria that would be populated using available data and statistics. • Whilst the categories were not weighted, other factors such as project affordability and curriculum requirements, along with the matrix, would be considered when finalising the programme. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Concern was raised that only 9 areas were being focused on as opposed to the whole school estate. - It was suggested that, due to a decrease in school numbers, that consideration should be given to school rationalisation. - In response, the Cabinet Member for Education advised that all areas had been scrutinised prior to shortlisting. - School capacity numbers were considered and possible federalisation options were being explored. - Welsh language and faith schools would require consideration. • It was queried as to whether the 9 areas had been reviewed, as there had been many economic changes, such as rising energy costs and the Covid-19 pandemic since they were chosen 4 years ago. - In response, the Strategic Manager, Education Property and Site Management advised that all schools were reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis and that a Strategic School Planning Group had been established. - The scoring matrix would be an open and transparent process. - The Cabinet Member for Education advised that, as the WG were moving to a 9 year rolling programme, there would be an opportunity to consider all schools and set priorities. • Concern was raised that the scoring matrix criteria classification was not clear or explicit enough and that a final version would require more detail. - In response, the Strategic Manager, Education Property and Site Management advised that additional information would be included within the final template. • Clarity was sought in respect of who would be carrying out the scoring process. - In response, the Strategic Manager, Education Property and Site Management advised that officers within the Education Property and Site Management Services would undertake the scoring process as they possessed the relevant knowledge and experience. - Scoring was based on statistics and was not opinion based. - The scoring matrix would be presented to the Social Care and Education Capital Programme Board, prior to the final matrix being presented to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet. • Concern was raised in respect of increasing costs. - In response, the Strategic Manager, Education Property and Site Management advised that prior to commencing the programme, Cabinet approval would be required. - The process would be open and transparent, including information on cost. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme Priority Project Scoring Matrix be approved.
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.
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