Agenda item

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Joint meeting of Education & Youth and Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny held on 24^th March 2016 and the meetings of Education & Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 28^th April 2016 (Call-in 10am, Call-in 11.30am and Ordinary meeting at 2pm) (copies enclosed).

(a)       That subject to the amendment detailed above, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to the following people, to thank them for their involvement and hard work during the Eisteddfod:-

·         Jeremy Griffiths, Head of Ysgol Gwynedd

·         Pam McLean, Head of Flint High School

·         Nia Wyn Jones, Head of Music at Ysgol Maes Garmon

·         Aled Marshman, Music Service Manager

Prior to consideration of the minutes, Councillor Nancy Matthews congratulated the Chairman for his hard work in enabling the provision of the Urdd Eisteddfod to Flint.  The Chairman thanked Councillor Matthews for her kind words and provided a detailed explanation of how this had been achieved.  He said that it had been an extremely enjoyable event and had been attended by over 90,000 visitors. 

Mr.Hytch explained that he had worked at the event and he suggested that a letter be sent from the Committee to congratulate Jeremy Griffiths and his team for their hard work which had ensured the success of the event.  The Chairman suggested that Pam McLean also be thanked as she had allowed the land at the school to be used free of charge and that congratulations be passed on to the Head of Music at Maes Garmon for their involvement. 

Councillor Paul Cunningham said that he had been impressed with the level of the choreography in the show ‘Hairspray’ and he felt that the music and dance was a delight to see and hear.  Mrs. Stark echoed the comments and said that the number of children who participated was outstanding and she felt that the performances were fantastic.  The excellent presentations by the Music Service were also highlighted.  

Following the discussion, the Chairman suggested that an email be sent from the Committee to all schools in Flintshire to thank them for their tremendous achievements and that a letter be sent to Jeremy Griffiths, Pam McLean and Nia Wyn Jones, the Head of Music at Maes Garmon to congratulate them for their work.   

The Senior Manager – School Improvement referred to a special event that was being arranged to recognise the key people who had made the event such a success.  She spoke of a key strategic forum that was to be held in July 2016 and the hope that the success of the Urdd Eisteddfod would encourage more parents to consider the provision of Welsh Medium schools to educate their children even if the parents did not speak Welsh. 

The Chairman also gave congratulations to Trelawnyd school which had won the prize in the competition for the best decorated school as part of the Urdd Eisteddfod.    

The minutes of the Joint meeting of the Education & Youth and Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 24^th March 2016 and the meetings of Education & Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 28^th April 2016 at 10am, 29^th April 2016 at 11.30am and 28^th April 2016 at 2pm had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

            ACCURACY

            28^th April 2016 -10am meeting

                        Mr. Hytch asked that the apostrophe be removed from the word ‘Council’s’ in the fifth line on page 10. 

                        He also suggested that the word ‘considered’ be added after the word ‘been’ in the final sentence of the first full paragraph on page 14.

MATTERS ARISING

            28^th April 2016 – 2pm meeting

                        The Education and Youth Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator referred to the minute on the Recommendations from the School Transport Task & Finish Group and confirmed that the report was to be considered by Cabinet on 21^st June 2016; the decision would then be emailed to the Committee.

                        Mr. Hytch referred to the reference on page 27 about applications submitted for the hub from Blacon school and commented on the need to ensure that the cycleway from Shotton to Dock Road was extended to Coleg Cambria to allow pedestrian and cycle access.  Councillor Andy Dunbobbin provided an update on his involvement with a bid for Groundwork to develop the route referred to by Mr. Hytch. 

                        The Chairman thanked the Committee for the way they had conducted themselves during the difficult meetings on the closures of Ysgol Maes Edwin and Ysgol Llanfynydd.  The Senior Manager – School Improvement provided assurance to Members of the work that was ongoing to ensure a smooth transition for the pupils, staff and parents to their new schools.  Councillor Marion Bateman praised the staff at Sychdyn school to for their involvement in the transition process of the children from Ysgol Maes Edwin that would be moving to Sychdyn school.                          

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That subject to the amendment detailed above, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to the following people, to thank them for their involvement and hard work during the Eisteddfod:-

·         Jeremy Griffiths, Head of Ysgol Gwynedd

·         Pam McLean, Head of Flint High School

·         Nia Wyn Jones, Head of Music at Ysgol Maes Garman

·         AledMarshman, Music Service Manager