Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
AGREED to note the update and the developments outlined, and that a further report be presented to the Committee in 12 months regarding the introduction and impact of the pouches.
AGREED to note the report.
AGREED to accept the report for information.
AGREED to note the minutes for information and to congratulate the Youth Council on their work.
AGREED to note the current position.
Councillor Gareth Lewis apologised for his inability to attend the meeting
Mrs Sian Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 5.
The Chair stated that this was his final meeting as Chair and expressed his thanks for all the support he had received during his tenure especially from Mrs Dwynen Jones, Scrutiny Officer and Mrs Lisa Evans. He wished the new Chair, Councillor Caryl Roberts well for the forthcoming municipal year. The Committee, in turn, thanked the Chair for his leadership and guidance during the last two years. Councillor Wyn Thomas wished to congratulate all involved in all the Christmas concerts, musicals, Eisteddfodau, Iaith ar Daith, Gwyl Ddewi celebrations and the Llety Twppa open day. He also wished to thank Mrs Menna Jones, Welsh Language Support Team Leader well on her retirement and thanked her for all her work in relation to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for Ceredigion
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the update and the developments outlined, and that a further report be presented to the Committee in 12 months regarding the introduction and impact of the pouches.
The Committee received a PowerPoint presentation updating Members on mobile phone use across Ceredigion schools. Officers reported increasing concern locally and nationally regarding excessive screen time and its impact on the wellbeing of children and young people. Since Covid, pupils’ screen use had increased significantly, contributing to mental health issues, difficulties concentrating in lessons, incidents of bullying, and wider knock-on effects on families. Some pupils had reportedly lost confidence and experienced sleep problems, which in turn affected their ability to focus in class. Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan reported that Ysgol Bro Pedr had adopted the Yondr mobile phone pouch system, which had been operating very successfully. Pupils’ devices remained switched off during the school day and were locked in their pouches until the end of the day. It was noted that four secondary / through-age schools had not yet adopted the pouches, as decisions rested with individual schools and the cost would need to be met from their own budgets. Officers advised, however, that potential Health Board funding could be available to support the purchase of pouches. Schools were expected to take the lead, with the local authority providing support where required. Members were informed that approaches varied across Wales. Some local authorities had introduced pilot schemes, while others relied on school level policies. Carmarthenshire County Council, for example, had implemented a “phones out of sight” rule. It was noted that Ceredigion was the first county to pilot a coordinated approach, and the experiences of local schools could be shared with Welsh Government. Miss Hannah Bowhay, from Aberaeron Comprehensive School and deputy chair the Youth Council, provided the perspective of young people regarding the use of the Yondr pouches. She stated that while the concept was excellent, there could been challenges in its implementation. She highlighted that the introduction had been very sudden within the schools, and that it had a greater impact on older learners in Years 12 and 13 compared with pupils in the lower years. She suggested that this was likely because pupils in Years 12 and 13 had been permitted access to their mobile phones since Year 7 and were therefore more affected by the sudden change. It was AGREED to note the update and the developments outlined, and that a further report be presented to the Committee in 12 months regarding the introduction and impact of the pouches.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the report.
Members received a power point presentation updating Members on the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reforms. All Ceredigion schools and Specialist Resource Centres had transferred to the ALN system, and Estyn had made no ALN specific recommendations for Ceredigion. Progress continues in early identification, multi agency collaboration and bilingual ALN provision. Challenges remain around increasing demand, complexity of cases, and ensuring consistency of IDPs. Following questions from the floor on the number of pupils who were receiving ALN provision and its budget implications, it was AGREED to note the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to accept the report for information.
The Annual Report was presented. SACRE met on three occasions during the academic year. Ongoing challenges include vacant membership positions. A questionnaire to schools on RE / RVE and Collective Worship had a low response rate (9 schools), with concerns raised regarding awareness of the syllabus and the delivery of daily collective worship. Exam results for 2025 were noted, including improved KS4 A*–A outcomes and increased KS5 participation. Concerns were also raised regarding available RE teachers as there were not currently any University courses in Wales to facilitate this. It was AGREED to accept the report for information.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the minutes for information and to congratulate the Youth Council on their work.
Miss Hannah Bowhay, deputy chair of the Youth Council presented the minutes of the Youth Council meeting held on the 30 January 2026. Items included: • Consultation on the Youth Service 5 year plan. • Work of the Environment and Period Dignity Sub groups. • Digital Youth Work consultation findings (200 young people surveyed). • Hot Topics ballot development for 2026. • Feedback from senior members’ meeting (transport, post pandemic job opportunities, arts funding). • Development of a snap survey on social media age limits. It was AGREED to note the minutes for information and to congratulate the Youth Council on their work.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the current position.
The Committee received the quarterly revenue and capital financial monitoring reports. A small projected underspend of £107k (0.05%) against the £209.2m controllable budget was reported. Key pressures included: • Out of county placements (£9.28m). • Continued use of agency staff in Social Care. • Lower in year Council Tax collection rates (88.6%). Offsetting benefits included higher Council Tax premium yields and underspends within Finance & Procurement. Reserves stood at £41m earmarked and £7m general (~80 days of cover). The Committee was informed of the recent volatility in global oil markets following events in the Middle East, with prices having briefly reached approximately $85 per barrel. The Executive Corporate Lead Officer advised that such spikes typically stabilise within 12–18 months and confirmed that the Council’s detailed financial modelling already assumes a baseline pressure of around £700k. He reported that earmarked reserves were providing short‑term “breathing space”, though this was not a long‑term solution to address the increase in these costs. Cabinet has been briefed on the projected financial implications. In relation to Llety Twppa Farm, an update was requested regarding the condition of the farm dwelling, as rumours had been circulating in the community suggesting that a new dwelling was to be constructed on the site. It was confirmed that this was not currently the position. The Executive Corporate Lead Officer – Finance & Requirement explained that Llety Twppa Farm formed part of a corporate initiative, and that the first phase of work had been progressed through a small bid which had secured initial funding. It was noted that the nature of the project meant that funding would likely need to be drawn from multiple sources. Approximately £1 million had been allocated within the 2026/27 capital programme to meet anticipated match funding requirements. It was AGREED to note the current position.
It was agreed to note the content of the Forward Work Programme subject to:- (i) update report in 12 months on the introduction and impact of the Yonder pouches and the use of mobile phones in schools; and and (ii) to consider Carmarthenshire’s school transport policy and its implications to Ceredigion County Council pupils
It was AGREED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the previous meeting. Matters arising None.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.