Agenda and minutes

The following Members made declarations of interest at the commencement of the meeting in relation to the undermentioned matters:-

Councillor Rachel Taylor      -      The report of the Head of Transformation re: Strategic School Improvement Programme – Future of Secondary Education in the Upper Afan Valley as her children will be attending Ysgol Newydd Margam.

Councillor Sian Harris      -          The private report of the Head of Transformation re: Celtic Leisure Annual Report and Celtic Leisure Quarter 1 Performance as her daughter woks for Celtic Leisure

Councillor Dave Whitelock      -  The report of the Head of Transformation re: Strategic School Improvement Programme – Future of Secondary Education in the Upper Afan Valley as he is a Governor on the Shadow Governor Board at Ysgol Newydd Margam.

The Committee noted the minutes.

The Committee noted the Minutes.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:

5.1     Strategic School Improvement Programme – Future of Secondary Education in the Upper Afan Valley

          Members considered a report that sought approval to consult on the future of Secondary Education in the Upper Afan Valley. It was highlighted that the Council’s responsibility is to promote high educational standards and deliver efficient primary and secondary education.

          It was noted that Cymer Afan Comprehensive School has a capacity to hold in excess of 600 pupils; however, currently holds 226 pupils, which provides a significant surplus capacity of nearly 65%.

          It was highlighted that the Authority is proposing to make arrangements for pupils from the upper Afan Valley to receive their secondary education at Ysgol Newydd Margam.

          Members asked what guarantees could be given to ensure the safety of children travelling to Ysgol Newydd Margam via the Afan Valley Road in adverse weather conditions due to the treacherous nature of the road. Officers explained that they are unable to give guarantees but stated that measures are in place to ensure that all transport contractors are safety checked and have all the necessary insurances in place.

In addition it was queried what measures have been put in place to ensure that children are able to return home if the weather conditions deteriorate while they are in school. Officers explained that Home to School transport is provided across the County Borough on similar routes with no significant issues being reported. Officers confirmed that it is the responsibility of the school to monitor any adverse change in weather conditions and to make the necessary arrangements to insure that the children are able to return home safely.

          Members were concerned that the children are going to be subject to an increase in pollution levels by being transferred to Ysgol Newydd Margam due to the vicinity of the school and the TATA Steel Site. Officers explained that no concerns have been raised by the families of children who already attend Ysgol Newydd Margam but this issue could be fed into the consultation process.

          Members were concerned that children from the Afan Valley will not be able to attend after school clubs because of the lack of service buses running after 6pm to return the children home to the Afan Valley. Officers explained that it is the responsibility of the Head Teacher to arrange after school cubs and to ensure that all the pupils have the opportunity to attend and are able to return home safely. It was stated that extracurricular activities do not always have to take place after School and can also take place during lunch-times or before the start of the school day.

Members were concerned that bullying could be an issue due to the increase in time that children would be travelling on the school bus from the Afan Valley to Ysgol Newydd Margam. Officers explained that other pupils travel to school on school buses for similar periods of time. If a school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:

7.1     Celtic Leisure Quarter 1 Performance Report

          Members received a private and confidential presentation and were updated on the performance of Celtic Leisure during the first quarter, in comparison to the submitted ten year business plan. Members asked several questions in relation to the presentation and received appropriate responses.

          Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.