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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, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme be agreed.
AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report and the unprecedented situation regarding the proposed cuts to the schools’ budget in 2024/25 be noted. (ii) That the Committee’s concerns of the implications of the proposed cuts on the well-being of school staff and pupils be noted. (iii) That the Committee monitor the impact of the 2024/25 budget on pupil outcomes. (iv) To recommend that the Lead Member continue to press Welsh Government on the speed of response regarding the arrangements for the allocation of school grant funding.
AGREED – That a further progress report be submitted to Committee in the Autumn, to include information regarding the following: · Potential for auto-registration and monitoring of school meals · Improvements in the quality and choice of schools meals, vegetarian, vegan and ALN options and comparison with other local authority arrangements. · The work being progressed on the potential for local procurement of school meals. · Further details of length of lunch breaks across schools and the capacity to accommodate additional numbers of pupils receiving free school meals.
AGREED – (i) To recommend to Council that Mrs Alison Fisher be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. (ii) To note the nomination which has been received from Lyn Tracey Roberts representing the Primary sector in respect of the parent governor statutory co-opted member, for submission to Council. (iii) To note the vacancy from the secondary representative. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) As no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, to recommend to Council that the ALN representative is changed from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member representing ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors.
AGREED – That Councillor Becca Martin replace Councillor Robert Ian Williams on the Group from the start of the next academic school year.
AGREED – That the update be noted.
An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Jerry Wellens
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 December 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare the existence and nature of any personal interest in respect of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 – Councillors Brian Cameron, Dana Davies, Corin Jarvis, Stella Matthews, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan and Phil Wynn – Personal and Prejudicial – LEA appointed school governor. The Councillors claimed the exemption set out in paragraphs 12 (2) (a) (iii) of the Member Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon. Councillor Debbie Wallice – personal – supply worker at St Mary’s school. Alison Fisher and Brendon McDonald – personal – Foundation governor. Agenda Item 6 – Councillor Becca Martin – Personal – Family member in receipt of free school meals.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/07/24s) to consider the work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator provided the following updates to the Committee: · The date of the next meeting of the School Improvement Monitoring Group had been changed from 28 February 2024 to 18 March 2024 at 3.45pm. · It was suggested that an Annual Report on outcomes from the meetings of the SIG over a full academic year be submitted to Committee each September. · The Chair to send a letter to Estyn on behalf of Committee to request information regarding arrangements in place to support mental health and well-being of school staff during inspections and any plans to strengthen these, and outcome criteria. AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report and the unprecedented situation regarding the proposed cuts to the schools’ budget in 2024/25 be noted. (ii) That the Committee’s concerns of the implications of the proposed cuts on the well-being of school staff and pupils be noted. (iii) That the Committee monitor the impact of the 2024/25 budget on pupil outcomes. (iv) To recommend that the Lead Member continue to press Welsh Government on the speed of response regarding the arrangements for the allocation of school grant funding.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/01/24s) to consider the in-year budget pressures within the Education and Early Intervention and School budgets. Presenting the report the Lead Member referred to the year end forecast budget position for Education and Early Intervention, early indications that the overall level of reserves held by Wrexham schools will reduce by £7,037k during 2023/24 and the change to education grants which will go to local authorities rather than the education consortia. Many education grants had consolidated into 4 new grants as outlined in the report. Members considered the report and asked questions of the Lead Member and Officers present. During debate the following matters were highlighted: · The detrimental impact of school budget cuts on both staff and pupils. · Additional pressures for schools in respect of support for ALN provision. To meet the needs of complex learners it was essential that all partners work effectively, including Health. · The importance of LEA support for schools. The COEEI explained that officers were working closely with schools in order to provide support, considering the best uses of resources whilst focussing on the needs of learners. · Security costs for schools which were funded from individual school budgets. There was also a central budget which could be used for new/improved security. · Information in respect of the changes in the allocation of school grants. Noted that the LEA had not yet been informed of the terms and conditions of the grants but that representations had been made to request that they be relaxed in the short term to allow flexibility for schools. · Funding arrangements for redundancy payments. It was noted that £200k had been set aside to meet the cost of redundancies. It was requested that the Committee be kept appraised regarding school redundancies. · Noted that impact assessments in respect of cuts to school budgets would be prepared and kept updated. · The need for budget monitoring arrangements to enable the Committee to evaluate and monitor the impact of the budget cuts against pupil outcomes. · Assurances requested that no interest is charged for licenced deficit school budgets and that 5 year financial recovery plans be considered instead of 3 year. The Lead Member confirmed that the licensed deficit plan is being looked at to ensure that it remained fit for purpose. · Additional pressures in respect of rising energy costs. An update was provided in respect of energy costs which were expected to fall in the next financial year. AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report and the unprecedented situation regarding the proposed cuts to the schools’ budget in 2024/25 be noted. (ii) That the Committee’s concerns of the implications of the proposed cuts on the well-being of school staff and pupils be noted. (iii) That the Committee monitor the impact of the 2024/25 budget on pupil outcomes. (iv) To recommend that the Lead Member continue to press Welsh Government on the speed of response regarding the arrangements for the allocation of school grant funding.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That a further progress report be submitted to Committee in the Autumn, to include information regarding the following: · Potential for auto-registration and monitoring of school meals · Improvements in the quality and choice of schools meals, vegetarian, vegan and ALN options and comparison with other local authority arrangements. · The work being progressed on the potential for local procurement of school meals. · Further details of length of lunch breaks across schools and the capacity to accommodate additional numbers of pupils receiving free school meals.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COH/07/24) to provide members with information on the progress being made with the roll out of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) in Wrexham. Presenting the report the Lead Member informed the Committee that UPFSM provision was extended to children in Years 3 to 6 from September 2023, ahead of the April 2024 target for Years 5 and 6. It was pleasing to note that the level of uptake was growing however challenges remained for some schools. Members asked a number of questions during debate referring to the following matters: · The unit cost of school meals of £2.90 (£3.20 from January 2024) did not factor in the additional funding for staffing which was a pressure some schools had to meet. · The lack of capital funding for schools where significant investment was still required to facilitate the roll out (St Mary’s CIW VA School, Ruabon, and Ysgol Min y Ddol, Cefn Mawr). · The impact on eFSM. It was noted that the parents/carers of children who were eligible on the basis of income/benefits continued to be encouraged to register for eFSM even though they would be entitled to a free meal under UPFSM. This was because registering for eFSM enabled them to access extra support to help pay for school uniforms, school trips and more via the Pupil Development Grant. It was requested that consideration be given to auto-registration. · The quality and variety of school meals. Noted that the Health & Well-being Lead was looking into ways to improve the quality of meals on offer. · The need for more vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. · Information provided in respect of the procurement of food. Noted that the same food ingredients were provided across schools. Work had been done with a not for profit organisation to source more food from Wales. · Noted that work was being undertaken to procure a new parent pay system for parents to pre-order meals which should reduce food waste. · The capacity of dining areas and the impact on the school day to accommodate the roll out of UPFSM. AGREED – That a further progress report be submitted to Committee in the Autumn, to include information regarding the following: · Potential for auto-registration and monitoring of school meals · Improvements in the quality and choice of schools meals, vegetarian, vegan and ALN options and comparison with other local authority arrangements. · The work being progressed on the potential for local procurement of school meals. · Further details of length of lunch breaks across schools and the capacity to accommodate additional numbers of pupils receiving free school meals.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) To recommend to Council that Mrs Alison Fisher be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. (ii) To note the nomination which has been received from Lyn Tracey Roberts representing the Primary sector in respect of the parent governor statutory co-opted member, for submission to Council. (iii) To note the vacancy from the secondary representative. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) As no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, to recommend to Council that the ALN representative is changed from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member representing ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/03/24) to consider a review of the Co-opted membership of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. AGREED – (i) To recommend to Council that Mrs Alison Fisher be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. (ii) To note the nomination which has been received from Lyn Tracey Roberts representing the Primary sector in respect of the parent governor statutory co-opted member, for submission to Council. (iii) To note the vacancy from the secondary representative. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) As no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, to recommend to Council that the ALN representative is changed from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member representing ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That Councillor Becca Martin replace Councillor Robert Ian Williams on the Group from the start of the next academic school year.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/10/24s) to consider a change in the membership of the School Improvement Monitoring Task & Finish Group. AGREED – That Councillor Becca Martin replace Councillor Robert Ian Williams on the Group from the start of the next academic school year.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the update be noted.
The Chair provided an update to the Committee in respect of the work of the School Improvement Monitoring Group. She reported that at the recent meeting held with the Headteacher of Ysgol Clywedog the Group was assured that a number of new processes and systems had been put in place to address the recommendations in the Estyn Report, and that the Local Authority would support the school in carrying out a review of these procedures and monitoring arrangements, including important data on outcomes against the school improvement action plan. It was noted that a further progress meeting will be held later in the academic year. AGREED – That the update be noted.
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.
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