Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and a roll call was taken.

There were none.

No Declarations of Interest were received.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2022, be approved.

It was noted that this was the final Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board in the 2020/21 cycle of meetings. A new Forward Work Programme for 2022/23 would be produced following the Annual meeting of Council, 2022.

Decisions:

1.           That the reduction in the 2021/22 term dates by one day, in recognition of a day being granted to schools in lieu of the national bank holiday taking place on Thursday, 2 June, 2022 to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, be noted.

2.           Having had due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment, delegated authority be given to the Director of Education to agree individual governing bodies choice of their day in lieu to enable the local authority to notify Welsh Government of all school choices, by no later than 4 March, 2022.

Reason for Decisions:

To comply with Regulations.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decisions will be implemented after the three day call in period, which ends Monday 21 February 2022, at 9.00am. There was no call in of this item.

Decisions:

1.           Having had due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment screening, it be agreed, in principle, the authorising of the development of childcare facilities on school sites with the terms and conditions to be agreed by the Head of Property and Regeneration. 

2.           That delegated powers be granted to the Head of Early Years, Inclusion and Partnerships to authorise childcare developments on school sites, and to report to Members on an annual basis.

Reason for Decisions:

To ensure that continuity of the development of childcare in Neath Port Talbot, in line with WG policies and plans. Allowing officers to strive to close the childcare sufficiency gaps identified by our CSA.

To support the Governing Bodies of schools in supporting the request for childcare facilities to be developed on school sites. Thus also supporting the Local Authority in meeting the statutory duties placed on it in the Childcare Act 2006. This will in turn support the Child Poverty agenda in enabling parents the time to enter training or employment opportunities, or to access employment or training within the childcare sector.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decisions will be implemented after the three day call in period, which ends on Monday 21 February 2022, 9.00am. There were no call ins of this item.

Decision:

That in line with School Admissions Code, 2013 and The Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006, the admission arrangements for community schools in relation to the 2023/2024 academic year, as detailed within Appendix 1 to the circulated report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Council to meet statutory duties and good practice guidelines in respect of the admission of pupils to community schools.

Implementation of Decision:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period, which ends on Monday, 21 February 2022, 9.00am. There were no call ins of this item.

Consultation:

This item has been subject to external consultation.

Decision:

That the report be noted.

Decision:

That the monitoring report be noted.

Decision:

That the report be noted.

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290 (as amended).

None were received.

To resolve to exclude the public for the following items pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290 and 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 items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Decisions:

1.           That having due regard to the integrated impact screening assessment, the requirements of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules be excluded,

2.           That the hire period of Godre’rgraig Primary school current temporary buildings at Parc Ynysderw, be extended to 2024,

3.           That the provision of an additional double classroom demountable at the Parc Ynysderw site, be authorised, as detailed in the Private, urgent report.

Reason for Decisions:

To ensure that suitable arrangements continue to be in place for the provision of education at Godre’rgraig Primary to avoid any disruption and to ensure that further enhancement can be made for the duration of their tenure at the Parc Ynysderw site.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decisions are for immediate implementation – as agreed by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee there will be no call in of this item.