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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 18 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
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 ESTYN inspection be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
An apology for absence was received from the Youth Council Representative.
Councillors Carol Beard, Antony Bertola, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Sam Cotton, Simon Croft, Keith Eeles, Gwennol Ellis, Hannah Fleet, Dave Jones, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Jo Nuttall, and Kay Redhead all declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9a (Sustainable Communities for Learning) as they are all Local Authority School Governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, the Councillors were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Stephen Price declared a personal interest in Agenda Items 8a (Consultation Report on the proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin) and 9a (Sustainable Communities for Learning) as he is a Local Authority School Governor for Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Price was able to speak and vote on the matters.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 July 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
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. Members were informed that due to an ESTYN inspection in November 2023, the next meeting of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been moved from 7 November 2023 to 19 December, 2023. 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 ESTYN inspection be noted.
The Head of Education Services provided Members with a presentation on the ESTYN inspection, which would take place in November, 2023. The presentation included a summary of ESTYN’s inspection framework, questions to be addressed and the inspection timetable. The following was discussed: • School Governors were encouraged to complete the Education Service survey and to ensure that their safeguarding training was up to date. • HWB training had been provided to Elected Members. However, it was felt that further training and support should be considered. • Members were advised that concerns relating to support for individual pupils should be discussed directly with the Education department. RESOLVED: That the update on the ESTYN inspection be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Education introduced a the consultation report on the proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin and the Strategic Manager - Education Property and Site Management highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was confirmed that the impact of the amalgamation could impacton the school budget due to the school being on two sites. • A review of the transitional funding model would be carried out in order to assist schools with financial planning. • A school maintenance programme was completed annually. Information on outstanding school maintenance would be provided to Members. • The impact of staff sickness on the school budget. • The positive impact of amalgamation and positive feedback from pupils. • Staffing levels were the responsibility of the school and governors, however, the Local Authority would work closely with them. • It was confirmed that a grant application had been submitted to the Welsh Government in respect of playgroup provision in Mochdre. • Pupils would have an input in respect of a new school uniform. • Consideration should be given to further budget cuts that were likely to face schools. • Any school balances or reserves would be transferred to the new school. • It was confirmed that further information regarding funding and the school budget would be provided within the next report, which was due to be presented to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January, 2024. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the issuing of a statutory notice to formally amalgamate Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin as one school, following a review and approval of the revised transitional funding methodology be approved. Note: Councillor Stephen Price declared a personal interest in the above item as he is a School Governor for Ysgol Babanod Mochdre and Ysgol Cystennin. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Price was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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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