Issue - meetings

To review and comment on the budget pressures under the remit of the Committee.

Cyllideb 2024/25 – Cam 2

Adolygu a rhoi sylwadau ar bwysau ariannol dan gylch gwaith y Pwyllgor.

(a) That the Committee acknowledge the Education and Youth portfolio’s cost pressures, as outlined within the report, and confirm that the cost pressures should be taken forward as part of the 2025/26 budget;

(b) That the Committee acknowledge the School’s cost pressures, as outlined within the report, and confirm that the cost pressures should be taken forward as part of the 2025/26 budget

(c) That a letter be written to Welsh Government to outline the Committee’s concern around the challenge for the Education & Youth Services around the uncertainty on Grant funding streams and request that consideration be given to changing those Grant Funding streams in future to Statutory Funding; and

(d) That a letter be written to Welsh Government to request that additional funding be provided for children who are educated at home due to additional learning needs due to a medical condition.

The Corporate Finance Manager and Chief Officer (Education and Youth) presented a report (agenda item number 5) to review cost pressures and associated risks for the Education & Youth portfolio and Schools’ budget, under the remit of this Committee.

During the debate, the following points were raised:

·         To communicate to Welsh Government (WG) the impact of cuts to funding to schools and to seek consideration of changing some grant funding streams to statutory funding;

·         For decisions by Welsh Government (WG) to be fully funded.

·         To maximise opportunities to progress literacy skills for pupils with additional learning needs.

·         The importance of maintaining grant funding for specialist provision to support pupils with medical needs.

·         Support for retaining the cost pressure for holiday provision of eligible free school meals and to suggest that alternative models/opportunities be explored with external organisations and voluntary groups on solutions to tackle child poverty during school holidays.

In response to a question, the Facilitator agreed to ascertain which Committee would receive details of additional cost pressures for leisure and libraries once the transfer had been concluded.  She also confirmed that the comments made by the Committee would be fed back to Cabinet.

The recommendations, which were amended to reflect the debate, were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Committee acknowledge the Education and Youth portfolio’s cost pressures, as outlined within the report, and confirm that the cost pressures should be taken forward as part of the 2025/26 budget;

(b) That the Committee acknowledge the School’s cost pressures, as outlined within the report, and confirm that the cost pressures should be taken forward as part of the 2025/26 budget

(c) That a letter be written to Welsh Government to outline the Committee’s concern around the challenge for the Education & Youth Services around the uncertainty on Grant funding streams and request that consideration be given to changing those Grant Funding streams in future to Statutory Funding; and

(d) That a letter be written to Welsh Government to request that additional funding be provided for children who are educated at home due to additional learning needs due to a medical condition.