Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Chair extended best wishes, on behalf of Members, to Aled Evans, who would shortly be retiring from the post of Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning.

It was noted that Members have a dispensaion which allowed them to speak and vote on school matters.

The following Officer made a declaration of interest at the start of the meeting:

Wayne John         -              RE Welsh Public Library Standards Annual Report 2019-20, as he is a member of the Welsh Governement Reference Group on Welsh Public Library Standards.

Decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2021, be approved.

That the Forward Work Programme be noted.

Decisions:

That, in line with the approved policy, Local Authority Governor Representatives be appointed to the existing and forthcoming vacancies as follows, and as detailed in appendix 1 to the circulated report:

Reason for Decisions:

To enable the Authority to contribute to effective school governance through representation on school governing bodies.

Implementation of Decisions:

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

Decision:

That the Annual Welsh Public Library Standards Annual Report to Welsh Government 2019-20 be approved, and the contents of the Annual Assessment Report 2019-20 be noted.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Council to comply with its statutory duty of providing a library service in Neath Port Talbot.

Implementation of Decision:

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

Members noted an amendment to the circulated report. Officers explained that Paragraph 9 should read:

‘At its meeting of 25th November 2020, Cabinet approved consultation on proposed admission arrangements for community schools.’

Decision:

Having given due regard to the integrated impact assessment, and in line with the School Admissions Code, 2013 and The Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006, the admission arrangements for community schools in relation to the 2022/2023 academic year, as detailed at appendix A 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.

Consultation:

This item has been subject to consultation.

Decision:

That the school term dates for 2023/2024 (as detailed in the circulated report) be agreed for consultation, and submitted to Welsh Government by the final working day of August 2021.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Authority to meet its statutory duties.

Implementation of Decision:

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

Consultation:

This item will be subject to external consultation.

Decision:

That the revised Schools Forum Constitution, as detailed at appendix A to the circulated report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Authority to continue to meet its statutory duties.

Implementation of Decision:

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

Decision:

That having taken into account the Integrated Impact Assessment, authority be delegated to the Head of Transformation to proceed to enter the Council into the contractual arrangements detailed within the circulated report.

Reason for Decision:

To allow the authority to proceed with contractual arrangements with the provider, in readiness for the implementation of new legislation.

Implementation of Decision:

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

To resolve to exclude the public for the following items pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290 and the relevant exempt paragraphs 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.

Decision:

That the stand-alone floodlit astro turf pitch, situated within the grounds of Cymer Afan Primary School, be declared as surplus to the ongoing operational requirements of the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Service.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Head of Property and Regeneration to commence negotiations on a potential lease.

Implantation of Decision:

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

Decision:

That the proposal to enter into a contract as detailed within the private, circulated report, with regards provision of a Lifeguard Service at Aberavon Beach, be approved.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that the Council continues to provide a professional beach lifesaving service on Aberavon Beach.

Implementation of Decision:

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