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.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 October 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee , together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
RESOLVED: a) That an update report on the Provision of Temporary Workers in Schools be presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 Months’ time. That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the current arrangements for the provision of temporary workers in schools, alongside the further planned work to strengthen oversight and strategic coordination in this area.
RESOLVED: That the Future Generations Report 2025 and action plan be referred to the Governance and Audit Committee for assurance that the recommendations have been properly considered. Note: Councillor Chris Hughes declared a personal interest in the above agenda item as he is a director for Together for Colwyn Bay, a Community Group named within the report. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hughes remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Cathy Augustine and Amanda Hughes (Strategic Director – Finance and Resources).
Whilst not declared at this point in the meeting, Councillor Chris Hughes declared a personal interest in agenda item 8a (Future Generations Report 2025 - Future Generations Commissioner for Wales) as he is a director for Together for Colwyn Bay, a Community Group referenced within the report. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hughes remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 October 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 October 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 October 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources 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 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. Members were advised of the following: · No date was currently allocated for the maximising income generation report as the outcome of an external consultation reviewing fees and charges was needed to inform the report. · An Audit Wales report on Information Governance: Arrangements for Managing Freedom of Information Requests would be presented to the meeting on 1 December 2025 to consider the action plan. Discussion arose regarding the following: • The following would be presented to the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committees Chairs and Vice-Chairs for consideration as to whether to include on the FWP: - The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) review of school finances. - Outcome of the Welsh Government consultation on the proposed refinements to the classification of self-catering properties for local tax purposes. • The Cabinet Member for Education would circulate information to the Committee in respect of progress in insulating schools. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee , together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: a) That an update report on the Provision of Temporary Workers in Schools be presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 Months’ time. That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the current arrangements for the provision of temporary workers in schools, alongside the further planned work to strengthen oversight and strategic coordination in this area.
The Cabinet Member Finance and Strategic Planning introduced a report on the provision of temporary workers in schools, and the Head of Finance highlighted key points from within the report. The report set out the current arrangements for the provision of temporary workers in schools, alongside the further planned work to strengthen oversight and strategic coordination. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The commitment to work with schools to achieve best value for money was welcomed. Some Members felt that the report failed to account for spending on agency staff within pupil referral units and that the gross figures referenced failed to reflect insurance refunds. • It was suggested that a category-based breakdown of agency staff roles would be beneficial. • Concerns were raised regarding the inconsistent levels of experience and qualifications among the agency staff employed as teaching assistants (TAs). • The Head of Education Services advised that a national review was taking place in respect of job descriptions for TAs. • A review examining how temporary workers were used in schools, along with the financial reporting implications, was to be carried out by finance, human resources, and education improvement officers. - Discussions would also take place in the schools’ budget working group. - The review would include an examination of the separate accounting arrangements used by foundation schools. - An update would be provided to the most appropriate scrutiny committee. • Secondary schools could provide cover using existing staff, resulting in a reduced need for agency staff. • Primary schools contributed to a shared insurance fund and received reimbursement for the costs of hiring agency staff to cover absences. - No central insurance arrangements were in place for secondary schools. - One primary school externally insured for extended agency use. - The overall review would cover insurance arrangements. • It was confirmed that, due to budgetary constraints some school staff were employed on a temporary basis. • Head-teachers would discuss joint working and long-term sickness cover in order to seek to minimise the impact on teaching and learning. • The previous system of managing supply staff centrally was delegated out to schools, but could be revisited. • Corporate Human Resources had undertaken work to ensure that Head-teachers were provided with accurate sickness absence data. - Sickness absence had increased across the Local Authority. - Data on school staff absence was shared with the relevant business managers. - Absence data was monitored and appropriate support measures were implemented, including the provision of a counselling service. • National, regional and local variables had contributed to an increase in the use of agency staff. - The Council was collaborating with universities to tackle recruitment challenges. - Workload pressures contributed to the high sickness absence rates in schools. It was proposed and seconded that an update report on the provision of temporary workers in schools be presented to the Committee in 12 months’ time. RESOLVED: a) That an update report on the Provision of Temporary Workers in Schools be presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 Months’ time. That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the current arrangements for the provision of temporary workers in schools, alongside the further planned work to strengthen oversight and strategic coordination in this area.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Future Generations Report 2025 and action plan be referred to the Governance and Audit Committee for assurance that the recommendations have been properly considered. Note: Councillor Chris Hughes declared a personal interest in the above agenda item as he is a director for Together for Colwyn Bay, a Community Group named within the report. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hughes remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Governance Services introduced the 2025 Future Generations report from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the Head of People and Performance highlighted key points from within the report and action plan. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Some concern was expressed that the report imposed a legally binding duty on the Council, but there was no external accountability. • It was suggested that children's access to valuable experiences and opportunities had decreased during the past decade. - The Leader highlighted the need for a preventive strategy and the need to lobby Welsh Government (WG) for appropriate funding. - The Council was focused on ensuring that children were not adversely affected by broader societal issues and that schools delivered high-quality provision. - The Chief Executive noted that Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) was already meeting a lot of actions within the action plan. • The Head of People and Performance confirmed that work had been carried out in respect of being a more inclusive and progressive authority. • It was confirmed that, whilst the Council was committed to paying the real living wage, with a focus on social care, accreditation would not be pursued due to cost implications. - Information in relation to the costs associated with accreditation would be circulated. - The Council used a job evaluation process and paid above the national minimum wage. · Concerns were raised regarding the loss of cultural heritage associated with the sale of some Council buildings. · The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Governance Services commended the Council for its achievements in the face of budget cuts. - Members were encouraged to raise any concerns that the act was not being adhered to. • It was suggested that all Council employees should be paid the real living wage. The following proposal was made, but was not seconded: • That the limited enforceability of the Act be acknowledged and further discussion with WG be requested regarding strengthening the enforceability. RESOLVED: That the Future Generations Report 2025 and action plan be referred to the Governance and Audit Committee for assurance that the recommendations have been properly considered. Note: Councillor Chris Hughes declared a personal interest in the above agenda item as he is a director for Together for Colwyn Bay, a Community Group named within the report. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hughes remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
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.
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