Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Fran Lister declared a personal interest as her children attended Flintshire Schools.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 9^th September 2024.

That subject to the amendment above, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(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.

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.

To update Members on overall service performance including Learner Outcomes.

(a) That the Committee note the outcome of the Education Portfolio’s annual self-evaluation report on the quality of education services for the period 2023-2024; and

(b) That a letter be written to the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) to be shared with her team to thank them for the positive findings of the Self-Evaluation Report for the Education Services 2023-24.

To update on how the Council is meeting the requirements of the Welsh Government Anti-racist Wales Action Plan in line with the development of the new Curriculum for Wales.

That the Committee confirm that it has received an appropriate level of assurance regarding the progress made towards the Anti-racist Action Plan for Wales goals for Education and Welsh language.

To provide feedback on the Flintshire County Summer Playscheme 2024.

(a) That the Committee support Year-Round Community-Based Play Provisions: to continue to provide safe, supervised play opportunities for children in their communities, particularly in areas affected by austerity;

(b) That the Committee endorsethe PlayPals Programme: to promote the School delivery of the PlayPals initiative, a 6-week programme designed to empower children with knowledge of their rights to play and encourage them to become play ambassadors within their schools and communities; and

(c) That the Committee support thePlay Sufficiency Assessment: to actively champion play opportunities for children in Flintshire by supporting the Play Sufficiency Action Plan.  This includes participating in advocacy efforts, attending relevant meetings, and engaging in local events. Through this involvement, contribute to the development of a robust Play Sufficiency Plan for 2025–2028, ensuring play remains a priority in the community.

To provide an overview of the delivery of the Food and Fun Programme 2024.

That the Committee acknowledges the positive impact of the Food and Fun Programme in Flintshire schools on learners and their families.