Agenda and minutes

The Chair requested a workshop session in the next Cycle of Meetings, for the Committee to populate the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme for 2018/19.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:

2.1     Welsh in Education Strategic Plan

Members received information on the draft Neath Port Talbot Welsh in Education Strategic Plan WESP) 2017/2020 as detailed in appendix to the circulated report, following re-consultation and for Cabinet Board to commend to Council.

Members highlighted that the Welsh Governments aim of achieving a million Welsh Speakers by 2050 is ambitious and asked whether the officers were confident in the Primary Sector reaching the standards of the Welsh Government. Officers explained that the Welsh Language Strategy would be key at looking in to this.

Members asked whether the Parental Survey for Coed Darcy had been produced in a form of a letter. Officers confirmed that it had not yet been configured.

Members highlighted to officers that there is no education in the Medium of Welsh in the Afan Valleys and asked officers to include in the broader strategy to explore schools taught through the Medium of Welsh in the Afan Valleys.

Members highlighted that Children being educated through the medium of Welsh is not just within school, it also can be done at home and queried how parents and guardians can have help and support for this. Officers highlighted that they are currently working with Mentair Iaith and would want the the background and culture of welsh to be taught to make it more appealing. It was noted that there will be a pop up shop in Port Talbot Swansea University opening soon which would be of interest to parents and adults.

Members commended the comment on having Welsh Language being taught in a more appealing way and asked if there was any flexibility on the curriculum. Officers mentioned that there is flexibility and may increase with models going forward, however, it takes confidence and therefore would need to consider training for staff.

Members asked how officers will aim to reach the action ‘increasing current take up of pre-school Welsh Medium provision by 100% during the lifetime of the plan’ as detailed on page 24 of the circulated report. Officers said that they would look to work with Flying Start and Cylch, look at where the current demand is for Pre School and look at decisions to meet that demand.

Members asked that with the new School coming to the county there will be a surge interest for welsh Medium School in the Afan Valley. Officers highlighted that they are aware of pupils crossing the border to go to Ysgol Maesteg and would look in to this.

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that Cabinet Board be asked to consider the following recommendations:

That having given due regard to the responses to the consultation and the impact assessments in relation to equality risk, Welsh Language, legal and workforce. Approval be granted for the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 to be commended to Council for approval prior to submission to the Welsh Government and for implementation on the 1 April 2018 subject  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.