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 to re-elect Arwyn Williams, Head of Ysgol Brynrefail, as Chair of the Forum for 2022/23.
RESOLVED to accept the report.
RESOLVED to accept the report.
RESOLVED to accept the report and arrange a meeting as soon as possible to discuss further, when figures were available.
RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
RESOLVED to accept the report.
RESOLVED to accept the report and to receive an update at the next meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to re-elect Arwyn Williams, Head of Ysgol Brynrefail, as Chair of the Forum for 2022/23.
RESOLVED to re-elect Arwyn Williams, Head of Ysgol Brynrefail, as Chair of the Forum for 2022/23.
RESOLVED - as no names were proposed for the role of vice-chair, the role would remain vacant for the time being, in order to be able to proceed with the meeting.
Apologies were received from Dafydd Gibbard (Chief Executive), Siôn Huws (The Council's Legal Department), Councillor Gwilym Jones (Ysgol Borthygest Governor) and Donna Roberts (Ysgol Hafod Lon).
No declarations of personal interest were received.
None to note.
The Chair signed the minutes of the previous Forum meeting held on 7 February, 2022 as a true record.
It was noted that many of the matters had already been included on the agenda.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report.
The report was submitted by the Schools' Group Accountant, noting that a national pattern appeared in figures until the end of October. It was confirmed that Gwynedd was the Authority with the highest balances per head in Wales, with no Gwynedd school in deficit. This was reiterated by the Head of Education, who had been in discussion with the Welsh Government, which had confirmed that the balances were unusually high, and their suggestion of a three-year spending plan. The Group Accountant noted that £7.5 million would disappear by the end of the year if schemes were not carried out. It was confirmed that no discussion had been held with individual schools, but the situation was not as promising as balances suggested, as many schools had committed to spend in the new year. It was noted that there were also additional matters such as salary increases, and an increase in fuel prices that would affect the figures. It was confirmed that there would be no reduction in the Government's substantial grants. RESOLVED to accept the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report.
The Schools' Group Accountant reminded the Forum of the substantial grants that had been received over the past two years, compared to this year's grants of £13 million. It was noted, previously, that a late maintenance revenue grant had been received, but it was confirmed that this was not on the cards this year. RESOLVED to accept the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report and arrange a meeting as soon as possible to discuss further, when figures were available.
A presentation was given by the Head of Finance Department, which confirmed that a great deal of the information changed continuously, and that the Authority's Financial Settlement figure would not be available until 14 December. The Head of Finance Department noted that it appeared that the settlement would be slightly better than what he had feared, and he shared slides with the Forum. He referred to matters that would affect the settlement such as general inflation of 10/11%, and that homelessness had increased in the county. In terms of the financial position of the current year (2022/23), it was confirmed that there would be no additional grants, and an overspend of £7.1 million was expected against the Council's budget. As additional grants could not be used this year, the deficit would have to be filled by using Council balances. The Head of Finance Department referred to a letter that had already been sent to Heads of Department regarding the financial deficit, but it was noted that the deficit may come down slightly. It was noted that the 2021 census figures were also starting to feed through, and there was some hope that the settlement would be slightly better than what he had anticipated. It was confirmed that it may be possible to buy time in 2023/24 but, of course, this depended on the Minister's announcement. Reference was made to options to close the deficit, but there was balancing work to be carried out, especially as the financial position had changed so unexpectedly since the beginning of the current financial year. Reference was made to the prioritisation system, confirming that the Chief Executive and the Director were examining the individual proposals from each Department, and this would be followed with every Head of Department attending a meeting with the Leadership Team on 19 and 20 December for further discussion. The Head of Finance Department referred to modelling cuts from 1% to 6% for schools, and although time could be bought, this was only possible for a period of time. The Head of Finance Department referred to the procedure and indicative figures with a clear cut across all sectors. He noted that 6% equated to £4.8 million, but it was emphasised that these were indicative figures. The need for another meeting at the end of January/beginning of February, depending on diaries, was noted. It was emphasised that these were the worst figures. The Head of Education Department thanked him for a good and clear presentation, noting that every Department had to prepare, but it was not possible to predict the situation at present. The meeting was opened for questions / observations: The Chair noted that showing figures was one thing, but the figures did not reflect the situation and the vulnerability of children who were getting over Covid. The Head of Education Department noted that work was needed to recover from the impact of Covid on children. In addition, the Head of Education Department confirmed that he had had to illustrate the impact on Gwynedd residents when submitting proposals to the Leadership Team. The Head of Education noted the need to consider general cuts across the three sectors, although the demographic dip had affected the primary sector, which would soon affect the secondary sector. The Head of Finance confirmed that each proposal would be considered across the Council. The Union Representative raised a question regarding the Council's reserves, along with any earmarked funding, asking whether this was also on the table, as it was important to consider. The Head of Finance confirmed that there were reserves and it would be possible to consider them to fill the deficit and to buy as much time as possible. He added that there were reserves for specific projects and decisions on projects had been made for some time, but any withdrawals would be completely transparent. It was noted that preventative work was the way to meet the requirements of some projects. Whatever the percentage, one Secondary School Headteacher questioned that some schools were already under protection. The impact of this would involve higher cuts for some schools and he noted the need to keep the situation of each school separate. The Union Representative noted his concern about the recruitment and retention situation, along with his concern about circulating messages. He noted the need to catch up immediately after Covid and that this was very bad timing. It was noted that there were three clear ways to save money, namely larger classrooms, energy reduction and staff cuts, and it was questioned whether or not schools were suitable for this? The Head of Finance referred to schemes that were sometimes identified to bring in more funding, along with the Asset Management Plan and the Invest to Save Scheme, which was under discussion in this cycle. One Secondary School Headteacher enquired whether or not Invest to Save was open to individual schools, and the Head of Finance noted that he would check and report back on this. One Primary School Headteacher noted that savings were unavoidable, but that she was concerned about the children, and the responsibility towards staff, which put a strain on schools, and the side effect of losing Headteachers and teachers. The Chair made an observation that if schools admitted fewer pupils, fewer classrooms would be needed and this would rationalise schools. The Head of Education confirmed that the Council had had to make difficult decisions and that demography would have to be examined and offer value for money. It was questioned whether or not funding outside schools was being cut in the same way (e.g. GwE and ALN), and it was confirmed that it was. It was confirmed that more clarity would be available at the meeting, which would be arranged for the end of January/beginning of February, in terms of the Authority's expenditure for 2022/23, along with the settlement. The Head of Education confirmed that the purpose of the meeting was to share information and that the situation would be more mature by January/February. He urged Forum Members to take the opportunity between now and the next meeting to discuss with fellow headteachers. RESOLVED to accept the report and arrange a meeting as soon as possible to discuss further, when figures were available.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
A presentation was given by the Head of Gwynedd's Immersion Education System. He referred to the meeting held on 28/6/21 where the Education Improvement Grant had been discussed, along with the approval regarding contribution from schools. He noted the intention to model options in order to consult with schools and the Forum. He noted that there was no wish to go cap in hand to schools and that it would be possible to find the funding this year, and further discuss how it would be funded at the next meeting. RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
Reference was made to the on-line survey that had been shared in order to receive the observations of Headteachers. It was confirmed that 33 questionnaires had been received, with Model 7 for school budgeting being preferred. It was noted that observations discussed the impact of Model 7 on school budgets and that they would proceed to undertake more work on Model 7. It was confirmed that the next steps would look at Model 7 more carefully, and consider the observations, examining the change in April 2023 and then having another discussion about whether the model was suitable. The Union Representative welcomed the fact that data quality assurance work was being undertaken with quality officers. The Assistant Head of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion noted that work would be undertaken to examine whether or not the emphasis was correct. In addition, when undertaking the modelling work, she noted that it would become clear whether something was wrong. It was confirmed that it would be addressed from the viewpoints of providers. It was confirmed that an update would be provided at the January/February meeting. It was asked whether a group examined the work and it was confirmed that a working group existed but new representation was needed. It was confirmed that Gwynedd was moving forward well and ahead of some nearby counties. RESOLVED to accept the information and to receive a further update at the next meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report.
The report was presented by the Schools' Group Accountant, where it was noted that the county was looking at losing 550 primary school children due to a reduction in numbers. This involved losing £1.2 million in the primary sector over three years. It was confirmed that the Welsh Government was re-examining the Sixth Form Grant, but they may proceed to base it on real figures, and it was confirmed that everything was up in the air. If balances were gone, it was noted that bridging between April and August would be required. It was noted that many things were currently up in the air and that birth statistics appeared to be reducing. RESOLVED to accept the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report and to receive an update at the next meeting.
The Senior Manager - Education Resources Service reported that eight agreements were coming to the end of their lifespan and that schools had been offered to submit observations, and that they would be discussed in detail at the next meeting. RESOLVED to accept the report and to receive an update at the next meeting.
It was confirmed that the next meeting would be held on Monday, 6 February at 3.30pm via Teams. The meeting commenced at 3.30pm and concluded at 5.00pm.
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.
Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.