Agenda item

(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 report confirming the amendments made to the Forward Work Programme since the last meeting.  There was an additional suggested amendment, which was to submit a report on Part 1 of the Council Plan 2022/23 to the 3^rd February, 2022 meeting. 

Referring to the actions outlined at Appendix 2 of the report, the Facilitator confirmed that a letter had been sent to all schools from the Chair on behalf of the Committee.  Regarding the Social Media and Internet Safety item this had been deferred to February with a workshop being arranged prior to that meeting for Members on the “Be Kind Pledge”.  This briefing would also include information around social media.

            Responding to questions from Councillor Tudor Jones on the budget pressures and delivery of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in different schools, the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) stated that it was a very complex issue.  Schools were in the middle of significant change as regards to the delivery for ALN and work was being carried out with head teachers to ascertain how budgets were best used to support this.  The Chief Officer suggested submitting a summary report to Committee in June, 2022.

            The Senior Manager (Inclusion and Progression) reported on the work being undertaken with Primary Head Teachers around budget allocation and how this would be carried out under the new system.  The Committee had focused on the impact of the new legislation but a review of the whole process, looking at the services offered to schools and how this was financed, would be beneficial for the Committee.  The Chief Officer suggested that Councillor Tudor Jones meet with the Senior Manager in order to gain a better understanding of the work being carried out.  Councillor Tudor Jones thanked the Chief Officer and Senior Manager saying he would take up the offer in the New Year.

            In response to a question from Councillor Dave Mackie on the increase in re-sit examinations in November, the Chief Officer referred to a recent meeting held with Secondary Head Teachers and said that this had not been highlighted. She agreed to speak to the Senior Manager (School Improvement) and send Councillor Mackie further information following the meeting.   The Chief Officer referred to the Forward Work Programme saying that this could be included in the Assessment for Examinations for 2022 report being presented to the Committee in February, 2022.

            The Chief Officer suggested that a report on the Welsh Government (WG) Programmes Summer of Fun and Winter of Well-being be included for the Joint meeting with the Social & Health Care O&S Committee in June.  The very successful Summer of Fun programme had identified key strands that would support the work moving forward for the well-being of children and young people. The next strand of the WG programme would be “the winter of well-being”.  The Chief Officer reported on the powerful and positive impacts that this had made to the children and families that were involved.

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

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.