Agenda item

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous 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.

In presenting the report, the Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator outlined the items being presented to the forthcoming meetings which were attached at Appendix 1 and reported that an additional item on the consultation of Member Role Descriptions would be presented to the next meeting on 19 October 2023. She also reported that an all Members workshop on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) had been arranged for the beginning of October and that confirmation of the dates and times would be sent to Members in due course.

Referring to the Action Tracking report at Appendix 2, the Facilitator confirmed that the first meeting of the School Parking Task & Finish Group was scheduled for Tuesday 19 September to consider and agree the Terms of Reference for the Group. Once agreed this would be shared with both the Environment & Economy and Education Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committees.  All other actions were completed.

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) suggested that the following reports be added to the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the 1February 2024 meeting:-

·         Overview of summer A level and GSCE results following verification in December 2023; and

·         Revision of Post 16 Strategy – to outline how the new national commission was developing.

Councillor Hilary McGuill referred to the statement issued by Townlynx and the possible disruption to part of the school bus service. Whilst she recognised that they had since reassured members of the public that changes to the service were not being implemented, she sought reassurance from the Council on what risk assessments were carried it if something similar was to happen again. The Chief Officer explained that it was her colleagues in Streetscene and Transportation who delivered school transport and therefore this matter would come under the remit of the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee. She advised that the Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) had this matter included on the risk register for the school bus service and paid tribute to colleagues within the service who had worked tremendously hard to find alternative transport solutions for 1100 children. She was pleased that the matter had been resolved and that the bus service continued to be running.

In relation to risk assessments, Councillor Dave Mackie referred to a water main burst in Ewloe which had resulted in the schools in the area running out of water. He was concerned that the water company had not contacted the Council or schools to provide guidance/information on this matter. In response, the Chief Officer agreed to feedback the comments made by Councillor Mackie to the Emergency Management Team. The Chief Executive explained that matters of this nature were considered through contingency planning and were dealt with locally through the Emergency Management Response Team. He suggested that information on the Emergency Management Response Team be provided to the Committee in order to better understand the process. The Chair suggested that this be provided at a County Council meeting in order for all Members to understand the process. The Chief Executive agreed to consider how this information would be shared with all Members.

The recommendations, as outlined within the report, were moved by Councillor  Carolyn Preece and seconded by Councillor David Richardson.

It was agreed that the two reports suggested by the Chief Officer be included on the FWP and would be picked up as actions arising from the meeting, together with the circulation of information on the Emergency Management Response Team.

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.