Issue - meetings

Report of Housing & Learning Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator.

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee’s comments and observations be fed back to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of improvement targets.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report on the 2013/14 Year End Service Performance Report produced at the Head of Service/Divisional level under the adopted business model of the Council.  The report covered the period January – March 2014. 

The Chief Officer advised that detailed Year End Service Performance Reports were appended to the report for Schools Services, Development and Resources, and Culture and Leisure Services.  He commented on the retirement of the Head of Culture and Leisure Services and the forthcoming retirement of the Head of Development and Resources and paid tribute to both officers for their hard work and commitment to service improvement and for preparation of the Year End reports.  The Chairman reiterated the sentiments expressed by the Chief Officer and asked that the Committee’s thanks be passed on to the Officers for their work and best wishes for their future retirement.         

The Chief Officer gave a summary of the key information in relation to School Services and referred to improvement priorities and Service Plan monitoring, the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) progress report, Governor development, and the Authority’s support for Newly Qualified Teacher induction.  He commented on the NSI Improvement Target performance indicators and the positive progress achieved in the primary and secondary sectors.    

Councillor Nancy Matthews referred to the training package for foundation phase learners which had been organised to support schools on the effective use of the Pupil Deprivation Grant and focussed on the Sutton Trust strategies to improve learner outcomes, and asked whether teachers had the opportunity to access training through the Sutton Trust.  The Head of Inclusion Service responded and agreed to provide information to the Committee on the Sutton Trust document following the meeting.   

            Councillor Matthews also referred to the ‘Talk for Writing’ training event which focused on the strategies promoted by Pie Corbett, which was targeted at the primary sector and asked if this was the only strategy being focused.  The Head of Inclusion Service explained that this was the only one that training was being provided on at the current time. 

            During discussion members raised a number of concerns around the School Governor Development and Training Programme and referred to the quality of the training provided, time and venue for events.  Councillor  Amanda Bragg referred to the difficulties being experienced by some Governors who were unable to attend training due to limited places on the event  provided.  She suggested that Governors who requested training but were not able to attend due to the training session being full, be placed on a reserve list and notified if a vacancy on the training session became available.  The Chief Officer agreed to put the suggestion forward to the School Governance Manager.

Councillor David Mackie asked for information on the number of governors across Flintshire who had attended training sessions.  The Chief Officer agreed to circulate the information following the meeting.

            The Chief Officer acknowledged the concerns raised by members around delivery of the School Governor Development Programme and specifically  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12