Scrutiny Inquiry Panel - Cost of Living

The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel on the Cost of Living met on 13 April 2026. Education officers and the Cabinet Member for Education and Learning gave a briefing, based on a written report, on how the cost of living affects pupils, families and schools. The Panel also noted progress with its project plan and agreed it would like to visit a school that is good at reducing the cost of the school day. No conclusions were reached, as the evidence gathering is still under way.

1. Education and schools: impact of the cost of living

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report says schools are seeing food insecurity, uniform costs, fewer pupils taking part in trips, digital exclusion and more demand for pastoral support. It says the impact is uneven, with more acute pressures in more deprived areas. Free school lunches for all primary pupils since September 2024 help some families. The report calls for coordinated and adequately resourced responses. The minute says the presentation and discussion will form part of the inquiry findings report, to be considered with all the other evidence before conclusions are agreed.

   Based on the minutes, Scrutiny Inquiry - Cost of Living Costs April 26 v1.0, Appendix A Scrutiny 141124 - Poverty Proofing School Day, Appendix B - Partneriaeth Common Themes Update, Appendix C - Bishop Vaughan Report PDF, Appendix C - Craigfelen Primary School PP Report, Appendix C - Final Birchgrove Comp Report

2. Inquiry project plan

   Decided

   The Panel noted progress with the project plan. It agreed that it would like to visit a school to see good practice in reducing the cost of the school day.

   Why

   The project plan sets out the evidence sessions the Panel will hold. These include a visit to a primary school with good practice on this subject, planned for July. The minute does not give reasons for the visit.

   Based on the minutes, 03 - Cost of Living Inquiry Project Plan as at 6 Mar

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

   Minute

   None

2. 3

   Prohibition of Whipped Votes and Declaration of Party Whips

   Minute

   None

3. 4

   Minutes

   Minute

   The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

   Papers: Minutes Cost of Living Inquiry 11 Feb 2026
4. 5

   Public Questions

   Minute

   No public questions were received.

5. 6

   Cost of Living Scrutiny Inquiry - Education Directorate

   Minute

   Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Learning), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education), Kelly Small (Head of Planning and Resources) and Michelle Thomas (Funding and Information Officer) attended to provide the Panel with a overview on the subject from an Education and schools perspective. A written report had also been submitted outlining the key issues. The report and the discussion arising will form part of the Inquiry Findings Report and this will be brought back to the Panel at the end of the evidence gathering phase of the inquiry. It will then be considered alongside all the other evidence gathered when discussing and agreeing the Inquiry conclusions and recommendations.

   Papers: Scrutiny Inquiry - Cost of Living Costs April 26 v1.0, Appendix A Scrutiny 141124 - Poverty Proofing School Day, Appendix B - Partneriaeth Common Themes Update, Appendix C - Bishop Vaughan Report PDF, Appendix C - Craigfelen Primary School PP Report, Appendix C - Final Birchgrove Comp Report
6. 7

   Inquiry Project Plan

   Minute

   The Panel noted progress with the project plan and agreed they would like to visit a school to see good practice in relation to reducing the cost of the school day.

   Part of an issue followed across 10 meetings

   Papers: 03 - Cost of Living Inquiry Project Plan as at 6 Mar

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.

• Lyndon Jones MBE, ChairConservativePresent
• Adam Davis, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Allan Jeffery, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Jeff Jones, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Joe Hale, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Lynda James, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Mair Baker, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Michael Locke, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Nicola Furlong, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Oliver James, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Susan Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Tony Fitzgerald, Committee MemberIndependents@SwanseaAbsent

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