Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1/2 - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Charlotte Davies 01639 763745 Email: c.l.davies2@npt.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive the Minutes of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee held on 15th March 2018 pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Minutes.

2.

Pre-Scrutiny

Minutes:

The committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:

 

Cabinet Board Proposals

 

2.1     Strategic Schools Improvement Programme – Engagement of External Consultancy Services

 

          Members were informed on the request to appoint CPC Project Services LLP, by virtue of the Crown Commercial Services Framework Agreement for the provision of management consultancy services, to prepare for the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (“the Council’s”) business cases for the delivery of 21st Century Schools Band B Proposals, as detailed in the circulated report.

 

          It was noted that there was on error on Page 10, point 16 of the report. It read 0.03% when it was meant to read 0.3%.

 

          Members highlighted that it is a high priority that the department get the funding and asked what the penalties would be if there were a delay in the company applying for funding. Officers highlighted that if the application for funding is out of sequence then it can cause an effect.

 

          Officers highlighted that it’s an expertise role that is required for this and therefore the reason for this requirement. Capacity would be an issue for officers within the authority to do it themselves.

 

          Members asked if this was the most cost effective way due to the budget issues that we are currently under. Officers highlighted that this is required for the budget, therefore the cost is justified.

 

Members asked if the Authority had looked at any other consultancies instead. Officers highlighted that CPC are already on the framework, they are already up and running so selected them.

 

          Members asked whether sufficient safeguarding around penalties if the application is rejected, could be contained within the contract. Officers were unsure of any penalty clause if rejected, however, highlighted that we would need to trust in them as the responsibility of the reports are with the authority.

 

Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.

 

2.2     Long Term Sickness Taskforce Project

 

Members were provided with an update in relation to the work of the Long Term Sickness Taskforce in Schools and the early intervention methodology pilot, as detailed in the circulated report.

 

Members asked why there was an unknown limit of informal return to work Planning meetings. Officers explained that as they are informal meetings the Human Resources team are not involved, however staff are trained to conduct an informal and formal meeting. Members queried if Informal Meetings aren’t being included how Human Resources would know that they are happening. It was noted that officers will request a record in future.

 

Members asked how the Formal meeting process works. Officers highlighted that Formal stage 1 meetings are held at school or in a neutral environment depending on the nature of the illness, for example if stress related then its often more appropriate to meet in a neutral location. The Unions are invited to all meetings, they discuss the nature of the illness, if stress then will try and get more detail to see if it is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Any urgent items

Minutes:

With the permission of the Chair the following was raised as an urgent item for discussion at today’s meeting pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972

 

Tir Morfa – Site Visit

 

The Co-opted Member thanked officers for the arrangement of the Site Visit to Tir Morfa.