Agenda and minutes

Agreed that Councillor P.A.Rees be appointed Chairperson for the meeting.

The following Member made a declaration of interest at the start of the item:-

Noted by the Committee.

Noted by Committee

Decision:

That the report be noted.

(Cllr. P.A.Rees declared an interest at this point and withdrew from the meeting.  Cllr.A.J.Taylor substituted for this item only.)

Decision:

That having given due regard to the impact assessments, in particular the equality, risk and Welsh Language assessments and in line with Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 approval be granted to publish the statutory proposal to establish specialist provision for primary age pupils with social emotional and behavioural difficulties at Coedffranc Primary School and at Crynallt Primary School, on the 10 November 2017, as contained within the circulated report.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the authority to comply with the formal publication requirements of the School Organisation Code and associated legislation.  Implementation of the proposal will enable the Council to promote high educational standards and the fulfilment of every child’s potential.  Also, to enable the authority to meet its duty to secure efficient education in its area.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision is for immediate implementation.  The Chairperson of Scrutiny Committee had agreed to this course of action and therefore there would be no call-in of these decisions.

Consultation

Consultation has taken place on this item.

Decisions:

1.      That having given due regard to the impact assessments as contained within the circulated report and in line with Section 48 of School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 approval be granted to undertake consultation on the future of secondary education in the Upper Afan Valley under a proposal to make arrangements for pupils who would otherwise attend Cymer Afan Comprehensive School to receive their secondary education at Ysgol Newydd Margam and to close Cymer Afan Comprehensive School as from 1 September 2019.

2.      That the consultation commences on the 11 December 2017 until the 14 February 2018 and includes the:

·        Maintenance Schedule of Cymer Afan Comprehensive School;

·        Transport Analysis;

·        Community Impact Assessment;

·        and any other information required by Members of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet Board.

Reason for Decisions:

To enable the authority to comply with the formal consultation required of the Council by the School Organisation Code. 

Implementation of Decisions:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

Members received a verbal amendment at the meeting that the name of the school was Ysgol Carreg Hir and not as detailed in the circulated report.

Decisions:

1.      That the Instrument of Government as contained in Appendix A to the circulated report be approved with the incorporation date of the 1 November 2018, creating a permanent Governing Body;

2.      That the name of the school be Ysgol Carreg Hir.

Reason for Decisions:

To enable to authority to comply with the legislative requirements for the establishment of a new school.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

Decision:

That the report be noted.

Decisions:

1.      That the Margam Country Park Business Plan as detailed in   the circulated report be approved;

2.      That Delegated Authority be granted to the Head of Transformation and Head of Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Head of ICT and Procurement to embark on tender exercises for the appointment of external providers or to negotiate with any external providers to fulfil any obligations in the Action Plan incorporated in the Margam County Park Business Plan.

Reason for the Decisions:

To enable the Council to explore commercial opportunities to generate income that will support a more sustainable business model for the Country Park and reduce reliance on Council subsidies.

Implementation of Decisions:

That the decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

Members were supportive of the request made by the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee held prior to this meeting for the report containing the results of the consultation to be brought back to the Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board on the 12 January 2018 for consideration prior to commending to Council on the 18 January 2018.

Decision:

That approval be granted to undertake further consultation on the amendments highlighted in Appendix 1 to the circulated report from the previously submitted plan for a period of 4 weeks commencing the 10 November 2017 until the 7 December 2017.  In addition, that the outcome of the consultation be brought back to the Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board on the 12 January 2018 for consideration prior to commending to Council on the 18 January 2018.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the authority to undertake its statutory requirements to re-consult on the WESP 2017 – 2020.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision is for immediate implementation. The Chairperson of Scrutiny Committee had agreed to this course of action and therefore there would be no call-in of these decisions

To resolve to exclude the public fro the following items pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No.2290 and the relevant exempt paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Decision:

That pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Decision:

That the report be noted.

Decision:

That the report be noted.