Issue - meetings

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)     That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)     That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the draft Forward Work Programme clarifying that the document had been updated following the briefing session at the last meeting and was attached at Appendix 2.  An overview of the items listed for the September, October, December and February 2023 was provided.  Moving on to the Action Tracking report she confirmed that all actions arising from the last meeting, as shown at Appendix 2 of the report, had been completed. 

In response to questions from Councillor Dave Mackie on the strength of the internet in schools and the provision of school meals, the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) confirmed they were aware of the internet issues which were because of the PSBA National Infrastructure Programme.  She confirmed that the Council’s IT department were working to ensure these issues were resolved saying these were not exclusive to Flintshire.  Referring to the school meals question the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) provided information on the changes to the business model used by NEWydd and the central production kitchen based at County Hall.  She agreed to ask the Managing Director of NEWydd to prepare a report outlining the recruitment challenges they were facing, the changes to the provision of school meals and include information on the universal roll out for school meals for infant aged school children.  Referring to the Forward Work Programme the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) asked if the School Balances Report could be included for the September meeting.

 In response to a question from Councillor Gladys Healey on vapes in schools the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) referred to discussions held at recent meetings of the Federation of Head Teachers and Education Consultative Committee.  Work was being undertaken to provide good policy guidance to support teachers to manage the situation in schools as the health implications for children were not fully understood.  Trading Standards were also involved as sales of vaping products to children under 18 was against the law and she outlined the procedures being put in place for schools to contact Trading Standards if they had concerns or local intelligence.  This was an important issue and she suggested that this be included in the spring as part of the Healthy Schools initiative.  She reassured Members that this was being monitored closely.

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst asked if vaping was allowed on school premises to which the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) confirmed it was not.   This would be addressed within the school policies and was being managed at present, but it was about understanding the legislation on what was acceptable on school premises.

The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.                        

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)     That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)     That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.