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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 subject to the above amendment the minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 31 January 2023 and 16 February 2023 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 9 February 2023 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.
RESOLVED: That the update on the UK Government Community Renewal Skills and Employability Programme for Recovery and Growth be noted.
None.
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None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That subject to the above amendment the minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 March 2023 were submitted for approval. In relation to Minute 707 (To review the Forward Work Programmes) the following amendment was suggested: As the terms of reference for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee included monitoring financial performance of schools, it was felt that this should be incorporated into the forward work programme. - It was felt that such a request should go to the Schools Budget Forum for further discussion in the first instance, in order to get feedback from Schools on the level of scrutiny required. - It was noted that Corporate Finance provided support to schools and the minutes of the Schools Budget Forum were presented to the Scrutiny Committee for information. - The Cabinet Member for Education also made reference to the Task and Finish Group that had been previously established to look at education funding and was not opposed to a further Task and Finish Group being set up in the future if Members felt that what was needed. However, to avoid duplication and not to impact further on Officer workloads, the Budget Working Groups, which were set to meet more regularly could be the most appropriate forum. RESOLVED: That subject to the above amendment the minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 7 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 31 January 2023 and 16 February 2023 be noted.
The minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 31 January 2023 and 16 February 2023 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the School Budget Forum held on 31 January 2023 and 16 February 2023 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 9 February 2023 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 9 February 2023 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education held on 9 February 2023 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.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented Members with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. The following was highlighted: · A draft forward work programme for the 2023/2024 municipal year was being drafted with the Chair and Vice Chair and would be circulated to Committee Members. · Members would have an opportunity to request additional items for consideration via submission of a Scrutiny Topic Form, which would be assessed by the Chairs and Vice Chairs using the agreed scrutiny topic criteria. RESOLVED- That the Forward Work Programme for the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the UK Government Community Renewal Skills and Employability Programme for Recovery and Growth be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Education, together with the Strategic Manager – Conwy Employment Service, presented an update on the Skills and Employability Programme utilising funding from the UK Government Community Renewal Fund, 2021-2022. In addition, a video highlighting the benefits of the Confidently You project was shown to Members. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • In respect of financial support for employing those with learning disabilities, the Strategic Manager - Conwy Employment Service advised that a government Access to Work scheme was available. - Conwy County Borough Council’s (CCBC) Disability Service was seeking to modernise their employability provision to service users. - Work was ongoing in respect of highlighting to businesses, the benefits of employing those with disabilities and Welsh Government had recruited a team of Disabled People’s Employment Champions to actively support businesses with the recruitment and retention of disabled people. • The wealth of outdoor activities within Conwy County, which had a positive impact on mental health was highlighted. • The excellent outcomes achieved from the Confidently You programme was acknowledged by Members. • In respect of the Confidently You programme, the Strategic Manager - Conwy Employment Service advised that CCBC worked with other organisations such as the Department for Work and Pensions, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as well as third sector organisations in order to identify participants. It was suggested that Elected Members could assist in identifying vulnerable residents within their wards. • It was confirmed that applications had been submitted to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for funding for projects such as the Confidently You and Pathways projects. Alternative funding would be sought if applications were not successful. • In respect of the Library Community Recovery Hub pilot at Llanrwst Library, it was hoped that the model would be rolled out to other libraries. - Monitoring usage had been difficult due to the need to obtain personal details from participants; however, general data on those accessing library services was available. • It was confirmed that projects had been delivered with existing staff and one secondment, which would continue if funding was available. • In respect of addressing barriers to employment, the Covid-19 pandemic had delayed progress, however, work placement opportunities were available as well as pathway training courses. - There was an appetite corporately to support work placement opportunities. - A skills workshop had recently been held in order to discuss priorities. - The Skills and Employability Strategy would be presented to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the future. • Numbers had returned to pre-pandemic levels in respect of those Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) - Information relating to an independent evaluation of the projects would be circulated to Members. RESOLVED: That the update on the UK Government Community Renewal Skills and Employability Programme for Recovery and Growth be noted.
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