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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – That the work programme as outlined in report COGC/83/22s be agreed subject to the following: · New Curriculum – further update scheduled for October 2023. · Period Poverty – progress update to be scheduled for the Autumn school term 2023. · Estyn Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP) – to be scheduled following the recent Estyn visit. · School Improvement Monitoring Group – feedback from meetings to date to be scheduled for the meeting in February 2023 and the schedule of meetings of the group to be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. · Education Standards – outcome measures to be reviewed as part of future reports on the PIAP.
AGREED – (i) That Executive Board be recommended to review the post-16 transport policy, taking on board the cost of living pressures; to encourage the progression of learners from Key Stage 4 to further education; and the commitment the Executive Board have made to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. (ii) That Officers involve representatives of Wrexham VIth form schools in discussions to consider more immediate measures that can be undertaken to support post-16 learners such as grant funding of £30 per week for eFSM pupils and the promotion of reduced public transport travel fares. (iii) That the response of the Local Authority to the WG consultation on the review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure be circulated to members of the Committee. (iv) That a report on the provision of school transport for hazardous routes be submitted to a future meeting with a view to reducing the number of routes. (v) That a further update report be submitted to Committee to include the projection of sixth form pupil numbers and the estimated cost of providing post-16 transport based on the Flintshire County Council model of provision. (vi) That the timetable for concessionary seats be reviewed with a view to providing earlier notification than October. (vii) That the Chair write to the WG Education Minister to request an update on the timetable for the review of the Wales Learner Travel Measure. (viii) That consideration be given to paying school escorts the real living wage. (ix) That the ratios of school escorts to pupils with ALN be reviewed to improve efficiency in school transport provision. (x) That the Committee is regularly updated on the work of the Officer Working Group.
AGREED – That owing to the lateness of the hour consideration of report COEEI/11/22s be deferred to the next meeting.
AGREED – (i) That the Committee support the brand change from UPFSM to ‘Meals for all’. (ii) That a further progress report be submitted in 12 months’ time. (iii) That an Information Report be circulated in May 2023 following the roll out to Years 1 and 2 in April 2023.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Alison Tynan and co-opted members Brent Evans and Glyn Williams The Chair reported that Brent Evans had advised that he was no longer able to attend Committee meetings due to work commitments and had sent his thanks to the Committee for their support over the years that he had been a member. On behalf of the Committee the Chair conveyed thanks to Brent Evans for his service to the Committee. AGREED – That a letter be sent to Mr Brent Evans thanking him for his contribution and support for the work of the Committee.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 October 2022 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the work programme as outlined in report COGC/83/22s be agreed subject to the following: · New Curriculum – further update scheduled for October 2023. · Period Poverty – progress update to be scheduled for the Autumn school term 2023. · Estyn Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP) – to be scheduled following the recent Estyn visit. · School Improvement Monitoring Group – feedback from meetings to date to be scheduled for the meeting in February 2023 and the schedule of meetings of the group to be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. · Education Standards – outcome measures to be reviewed as part of future reports on the PIAP.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/83/22s) to consider the work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator referred to: · The changes made to the work programme following the last meeting of the Committee. · The visit to Coleg Cambria which had been arranged for 27 April 2023. · Proposed dates for meetings of the School Improvement Monitoring Group. · Update on the New Curriculum scheduled for October 2023. · Progress update in respect of Period Poverty to be scheduled for Autumn 2023. · Estyn PIAP to be scheduled following the recent Estyn visit. Members considered the report and referred to the following matters: · Requested that the scheduling of meetings of the School Improvement Monitoring Group be reviewed. Concern was expressed that the meetings were replacing Committee meetings, not being held in addition to. · The need to review outcome measures in respect of Education Standards, in particular at KS4. AGREED – That the work programme as outlined in report COGC/83/22s be agreed subject to the following: · New Curriculum – further update scheduled for October 2023. · Period Poverty – progress update to be scheduled for the Autumn school term 2023. · Estyn Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP) – to be scheduled following the recent Estyn visit. · School Improvement Monitoring Group – feedback from meetings to date to be scheduled for the meeting in February 2023 and the schedule of meetings of the group to be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. · Education Standards – outcome measures to be reviewed as part of future reports on the PIAP.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That Executive Board be recommended to review the post-16 transport policy, taking on board the cost of living pressures; to encourage the progression of learners from Key Stage 4 to further education; and the commitment the Executive Board have made to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. (ii) That Officers involve representatives of Wrexham VIth form schools in discussions to consider more immediate measures that can be undertaken to support post-16 learners such as grant funding of £30 per week for eFSM pupils and the promotion of reduced public transport travel fares. (iii) That the response of the Local Authority to the WG consultation on the review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure be circulated to members of the Committee. (iv) That a report on the provision of school transport for hazardous routes be submitted to a future meeting with a view to reducing the number of routes. (v) That a further update report be submitted to Committee to include the projection of sixth form pupil numbers and the estimated cost of providing post-16 transport based on the Flintshire County Council model of provision. (vi) That the timetable for concessionary seats be reviewed with a view to providing earlier notification than October. (vii) That the Chair write to the WG Education Minister to request an update on the timetable for the review of the Wales Learner Travel Measure. (viii) That consideration be given to paying school escorts the real living wage. (ix) That the ratios of school escorts to pupils with ALN be reviewed to improve efficiency in school transport provision. (x) That the Committee is regularly updated on the work of the Officer Working Group.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COET/20/22s) to advise the Committee of the current challenge within the provision of school transport, with specific focus on school escorts and post-16 transport; and to update them on a range of actions being taken / considered to address the challenge. Presenting the report the Lead Member referred to the review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure which had been undertaken by WG. The outcome of the review was awaited and it was hoped that an announcement in respect of any change in statutory requirements (and any associated funding) would soon be made. He further informed the Committee that Wrexham’s School Transport Policy did not provide for transport for any Post-16 education however in the event of spare seating capacity concessionary seats may be available. These were allocated after all qualifying students had been allocated transport and therefore may be delayed, and may be removed if the seat was subsequently required for a qualifying student. The Lead Member also reported that Coleg Cambria currently made some transport provision available for their learners and this was not funded through Wrexham County Borough Council. The Chair welcomed the Head Teacher from the Maelor School, Penley to the meeting and invited him to provide information to the Committee in respect of post 16 transport. He informed the Committee that a number of pupils were choosing to attend Coleg Cambria over the Maelor School to undertake post 16 education as a result of the costs associated with transport to the school. In addition, specific issues for learners from Worthenbury and Bronington and delays in the notification to learners of whether a seat was available on the bus was causing concern for learners and parents. The Chair welcomed the Head Teacher from Ysgol Morgan Llwyd to the meeting. She reminded the Committee that the school was on the only full Welsh medium post 16 provider in Wrexham. She referred to the increasing numbers at the school, but reported that less than one third of the cohort had enrolled in the school for post 16 education this year. She advised that parents were willing to pay for transport but were not being informed of concessionary seats until October. Members considered the report and the evidence given by the Head Teachers. During debate the following matters were raised: · Concern expressed regarding the costs associated with school transport for families already facing cost of living pressures. · The need for earlier notification of concessionary seats available. The officer reported that there was a significant delay this year arising from an unusually high number of late applications for statutory transport which needed to be allocated before concessionary seats could be offered. An officer task and finish group was considering the process and timescales. · The Lead Member informed the Committee of grant funding of £30 per week available for eFSM post 16 learners which could be used to pay for transport. · The commitment to Welsh medium education in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. · The impact on schools if their roll numbers reduce. · Requested that consideration be given to the Flintshire County Council model of post 16 transport provision. · The potential to future proof transport provision by exploring options arising from the green agenda. The officer reported that this was an issue being considered by the officer working group alongside active travel routes and safe routes to schools. · Noted that the local authority responded to the WG consultation on the Measure. Members requested that this be shared with Committee members. · Noted that any change to the school transport policy would require a consultation process to be undertaken which could take 12 months. · Noted that the Hazardous Routes Appeals Panel met as and when required to determine appeals. It was requested that officers provide a breakdown of the routes. · School escort recruitment and retention remained a concern. Noted that the local authority had lost a significant number of school escorts over the summer months. · Noted that new relief school escort appointments had been made which should ease the challenge faced by the service. · It was suggested that the Council consider paying school escorts the living wage. The officer reported that the officer working group was looking at the job description and salary of the post. · Assurance sought that the ratios of school escorts to pupils with ALN was maximised to improve efficiency in school transport provision. AGREED – (i) That Executive Board be recommended to review the post-16 transport policy, taking on board the cost of living pressures; to encourage the progression of learners from Key Stage 4 to further education; and the commitment the Executive Board have made to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. (ii) That Officers involve representatives of Wrexham VIth form schools in discussions to consider more immediate measures that can be undertaken to support post-16 learners such as grant funding of £30 per week for eFSM pupils and the promotion of reduced public transport travel fares. (iii) That the response of the Local Authority to the WG consultation on the review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure be circulated to members of the Committee. (iv) That a report on the provision of school transport for hazardous routes be submitted to a future meeting with a view to reducing the number of routes. (v) That a further update report be submitted to Committee to include the projection of sixth form pupil numbers and the estimated cost of providing post-16 transport based on the Flintshire County Council model of provision. (vi) That the timetable for concessionary seats be reviewed with a view to providing earlier notification than October. (vii) That the Chair write to the WG Education Minister to request an update on the timetable for the review of the Wales Learner Travel Measure. (viii) That consideration be given to paying school escorts the real living wage. (ix) That the ratios of school escorts to pupils with ALN be reviewed to improve efficiency in school transport provision. (x) That the Committee is regularly updated on the work of the Officer Working Group.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That owing to the lateness of the hour consideration of report COEEI/11/22s be deferred to the next meeting.
AGREED – That owing to the lateness of the hour consideration of report COEEI/11/22s be deferred to the next meeting.
The Chief Officer Education and Early Intervention gave a verbal update on the outcome of the recent Estyn visit which had focused on education outcomes (recommendation 1). The Chief Officer reported that Estyn colleagues had met with teachers, GwE Officers, Council Officers, the Lead Member for Education and the Chair of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee and the meeting had been extremely helpful. The feedback from the visit was positive and the evaluation work which the local authority had undertaken had been recognised. It was reported that the next visit would be a monitoring visit to consider progress made against the PIAP to date. The next progress report to Committee would be around the work undertaken in preparing for the Estyn monitoring visit. The Chair thanked the Chief Officer and the team involved in the Estyn visit for their hard work.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee support the brand change from UPFSM to ‘Meals for all’. (ii) That a further progress report be submitted in 12 months’ time. (iii) That an Information Report be circulated in May 2023 following the roll out to Years 1 and 2 in April 2023.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COH/26/22) to present information to the Scrutiny Committee on the progress made and work planned in relation to the implementation of the Welsh Government (WG)/Plaid Cymru (PC) Co-operation Agreement commitment to provide Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) starting with children in Reception from September 2022. The Lead Member reported that Wrexham County Borough Council was allocated £1,071,512 WG capital funding for 2021/22 to be used to purchase equipment and to upgrade kitchen and dining facilities which was carried forward to 2022/23. A further £1,500,117 capital funding has been allocated for 2022/23. Audit reports had identified that additional or upgraded equipment was required in the majority of primary school kitchens and dining halls. He further reported that the recruitment of catering staff in schools remained an issue however steps were being taken to proactively recruit. The Service Lead reported that Wrexham was progressing in line with the WG planned roll out. He also advised that the scheme could have an impact upon the school day in respect of processing the number of children in the lunch time available. Members considered the report and asked questions of the Lead Member and officer. During debate the following points were noted: · The scheme was welcomed. · Issues regarding recruitment of catering staff in schools and the promotion of catering posts. · The impact on the school day in respect of the ability to process children through the meal time period. · The impact of the rising cost of food on the unit cost of school meals which alongside additional staffing costs was likely to result in a budget pressure. The Lead Member informed Committee that a review of unit costs of school meals was being undertaken by a working group established by Welsh Government. · The uptake level in Wrexham of 64% in October 2022 was in line with the Welsh average. · Initial problems for some parents being able to register with Parent Pay when the scheme started. · The impact on eFSM take up. It was noted that parents/carers of children eligible on the basis of income/ benefits will continue to be encouraged to register for eFSM. · The proposed re-branding of the scheme to ‘Meals for all’ to help with take up. · WG funding post 2024/25 for the scheme was currently unknown. AGREED – (i) That the Committee support the brand change from UPFSM to ‘Meals for all’. (ii) That a further progress report be submitted in 12 months’ time. (iii) That an Information Report be circulated in May 2023 following the roll out to Years 1 and 2 in April 2023.
The Chair provided an update to the Committee in respect of the recent meeting of the School Improvement Monitoring Group held in November 2022. She reported that the Group had received a positive presentation from the Head Teacher of Rhosnesni High School which showed improvement in a number of key areas. It was noted that the Head Teacher had a clear vision and commitment to further improvements in the school. A report on the feedback from meetings of the School Improvement Monitoring Group to date, including the meetings held in the academic year 2021/22, was scheduled for the Committee meeting on 9 February 2023.
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