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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 outlined in report COGC/97/24s be agreed.
AGREED – (i) That a further progress report be submitted to the July meeting to include the following information: - Feedback from the public consultation on WG review of nutritional standards and guidelines - Menu choices and levels of food waste - Feedback from parents, pupils and staff regarding menu choices - Unit rates for UPFSM and eFSM school meals - Dining capacity and details of any outstanding refurbishment works - Increase in utility costs - Measures to accommodate pupils with restricted diets - Measures to encourage parents to pre-order to reduce the pressure on school staff - Update on the work of working group promoting eFSM registration (ii) That a representative from a Special School be invited to attend the July meeting to inform the discussions around dietary requirements of ALN pupils.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Mrs Alison Fisher and Councillor Tina Mannering.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 23 October 2024 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: Councillors Dana Davies, Carrie Harper, Frank Hemmings, Becca Martin, Stella Matthews, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan, Robert Ian Williams and co-opted members Brendan McDonald and Sian Hatton-Jones all declared a personal and prejudicial interest (as an LA School Governor) but 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 declared a personal interest (as a supply worker in a Wrexham school). She remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme outlined in report COGC/97/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/97/24s) to consider the work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator drew Members’ attention to the following: · The referral from the Governance and Audit Committee requesting that this Committee report back to provide assurance on progress regarding Estyn Inspection recommendations and the proposed response outlined at paragraph 4.10 of the report. · The information in respect of the costs associated with the use of agency supply teachers had been circulated to Committee members today. · The School Improvement Monitoring Group meeting to be held on 16 December 2024. During debate the following matters were raised: · Requested that the report on Education Standards include reference to the recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee. · Requested that Committee members consider items on the work programme which would benefit from pupil or parental involvement. AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme outlined in report COGC/97/24s be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That a further progress report be submitted to the July meeting to include the following information: - Feedback from the public consultation on WG review of nutritional standards and guidelines - Menu choices and levels of food waste - Feedback from parents, pupils and staff regarding menu choices - Unit rates for UPFSM and eFSM school meals - Dining capacity and details of any outstanding refurbishment works - Increase in utility costs - Measures to accommodate pupils with restricted diets - Measures to encourage parents to pre-order to reduce the pressure on school staff - Update on the work of working group promoting eFSM registration (ii) That a representative from a Special School be invited to attend the July meeting to inform the discussions around dietary requirements of ALN pupils.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/17/24s) to provide Members with information on the progress being made with the roll out of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) in Wrexham. The Chair welcomed to the meeting Emma Jones, Headteacher at Borderbrook Aided VC Primary School and St Pauls Church in Wales VA Primary School. Presenting the report the Lead Member referred to the positive uptake of UPFSM in Wrexham, informing Members that for July 2024 this was 78.8% compared with the all Wales average of 70% for the same period. He reported that the School Meals service had moved over to the Education and Early Intervention department in April 2024, from the Housing department. Challenges remained for schools and the catering service. Members considered the report and asked a number of questions of the Lead Member and officers present. During debate the following matters in particular were highlighted: · Members were very pleased at the level of takeup of UPFSM. · Work in respect of the review of school meal menus. The Lead Member reported that catering managers had compiled a 2 week menu which would be tested to ensure it met Welsh Government nutritional standards and guidelines. · Concern that the menu might offer limited choices for some pupils with ALN, despite meeting nutritional standards. Officers proposed that this be fed back into the Welsh Government consultation. · Clarification on how the review of school meal menus would integrate with the Welsh Government review “Healthy Weight Healthy Wales 2022-2024”. Officers reported that the consultation would run until June 2025 with implementation likely in April 2026. · The impact of UPFSM on school learning. Members noted that this was looked at by the Healthy Schools team and schools also provided feedback in respect of pupil meal choices. Emma Jones reported that UPFSM had had a positive impact on pupil learning in the afternoons. · Confirmation that at present no additional funding was available, however officers were working to improve efficiency in order to improve the management of the service. · Capacity issues in terms of the length of lunch times. Noted that some schools were staggering lunch time slots. · No additional funding was available from Welsh Government to help schools with the cost of employing additional mid-day supervisory staff. Noted that no change had been made to the budget formula review in relation to midday supervision at Primary as this was allocated on a per pupil basis. In Secondary, as lunch time was shorter this was allocated based on the number of minutes. · The impact on staffing, particularly as a result of meals not pre-ordered using ParentPay which resulted in some teaching staff having to ask children their meal preferences before morning classes. · Officers reported that they were very confident in the accuracy of the data returned to Welsh Government. · The impact on means tested free school meals (eFSM). Noted that there had been a small change from 23.1% to 22.6%. Officers continued to work closely with finance colleagues to promote with eligible parents the benefit of applying for eFSM. In addition, the local authority was working with Welsh Government around the potential for enhanced Data Sharing Regulations. · Query whether the introduction of UPFSM had impacted upon levels of food waste. Noted that the universal meals offer provided the opportunity for a greater variety helping to broaden pupils taste and choices in the long run. AGREED – (i) That a further progress report be submitted to the July meeting to include the following information: - Feedback from the public consultation on WG review of nutritional standards and guidelines - Menu choices and levels of food waste - Feedback from parents, pupils and staff regarding menu choices - Unit rates for UPFSM and eFSM school meals - Dining capacity and details of any outstanding refurbishment works - Increase in utility costs - Measures to accommodate pupils with restricted diets - Measures to encourage parents to pre-order to reduce the pressure on school staff - Update on the work of working group promoting eFSM registration (ii) That a representative from a Special School be invited to attend the July meeting to inform the discussions around dietary requirements of ALN pupils.
Agenda Item 7: Members determined in considering this report that Paragraph 15 should apply. Their view on the public interest test was that while they were mindful of the need to ensure that transparency and accountability of public authorities for decisions taken by them they were satisfied that in this case disclosure of the information would prejudice the discussion in relation to labour relations to the disadvantage of the authority and inhabitants of its area. On that basis they felt that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items of business, as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
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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