Issue - meetings

That the suggestion to co-opt a representative of the Welsh Education Forum to the Committee be not pursued for the reasons given in the meeting but that regular reports be made to the Committee on the Forum’s progress.  

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report to receive a request for consideration of an item which had been made by a Member of the Committee.

Mr. Hytch expressed the view that there was an anomaly with the current structure of the Committee in that it did not have any direct representation from the Welsh Medium Education.  He also referred to the Welsh Government request for all local authorities throughout Wales to produce and implement a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan which encompassed a development strategy for both first and second language Welsh.  .

In his response the Director of Lifelong Learning referred to the five statutory co-optees currently on the Committee, three of which were elected by parent governors to represent them.  He commented that the  five statutory co-optees had the right to vote on all education issues considered by the Committee. 

The Director commented on the collective responsibility of Members and Officers to promote the wellbeing of the Welsh language in all schools.  He referred to the work of the Welsh Education Forum which was revived to  strategically plan, monitor and evaluate the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2012-15 (WESP) and the clear expectation that the Authority would promote the principles underpinning the WESP.  He reported that the Forum met regularly to refine and update the Plan. 

During discussion the Chairman expressed the view that in granting the request a precedent may be created which could result in other parties making a request that they be considered for co-option to the Committee.  This view, and those of the Director, were echoed by Councillor Nancy Matthews. 

Councillor Colin Legg referred to the current size of the Committee which had 15  Members plus 5 co-opted members.  He expressed the view that pupils should also be prepared for work and educational opportunities in Europe and other countries and suggested that the Committee might wish to consider co-option of a representative member from the sciences, mathematics or business community.   

The Cabinet Member for Education reiterated the views expressed by the Director that Members and Officers had a responsibility to serve the interests of the Welsh medium sector on a daily basis.

The Chairman paid tribute to the consistent and valuable contribution made by the statutory co-optees to the work of the Committee.  He commented that he was unconvinced that extending the number of current co-optees would make any significant improvement.  

The Director advised that he would provide feedback to the Flintshire Governors Association and write to the Welsh Medium Schools to encourage participation in parent governor representative elections.   

RESOLVED:

That the suggestion to co-opt a representative of the Welsh Education Forum to the Committee be not pursued for the reasons given in the meeting but that regular reports be made to the Committee on the Forum’s progress.