Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the minutes.

Members were informed that the forward work planner had been updated, but it was still in draft form as there were outstanding items to be added. Members referred to the discussions held at the recent forward work programme workshop held in May, and referred to the two suggestions made by Members for task and finish projects, which included the role and support of school governors, and healthy schools/obesity. The Committee agreed to prioritise the task and finish project for healthy schools/obesity, which would be scoped and brought back to a later meeting for comment. 

The Committee noted the forward work programme.

3.   PRE-SCRUTINY

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:

Cabinet Board Proposals

3.1    Welsh Government Feminine Hygiene Grant

The Committee received information in relation to the Welsh Government Feminine Hygiene Grant as contained within the circulated report.

Members queried why an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) had not been completed and attached to the report. Officers explained that the report was for information only, and that it was generally held that reports for information were not usually subject to EIAs. Members commented that it may have been useful to complete an EIA to demonstrate the positive impact that this particular item had made.

Members questioned whether the grant money received from Welsh Government (WG) covered the schools’ costs for purchasing feminine hygiene products. Officers stated that the grant subsidised the costs and eased the financial pressure on schools, but did not cover all the costs. Officers informed Members that once the grant money ceased the schools would have to pay the full cost from their own budget once again.

Members queried the timescale for purchasing the products using the grant funding and distributing them to the schools. Officers explained that the schools were already providing products to pupils from their own budgets. Officers added that the only potential delay in using the grant funding would be if WG specified that the money would have to be spent on vending machines to distribute products to pupils; otherwise it was envisaged that there would be no issue as the products would be given out via the existing mechanisms already established by the schools.

Members queried whether there was any data available which could provide an indication of how many pupils relied on products from the schools, in order to try to understand the magnitude of the situation. Officers stated that no specific data had been collected to date, but it was possible that the information could be obtained from the records held by the schools on the number of products purchased and the number of products distributed to pupils. Officers added that it had been previously deemed unnecessary to quantify as the schools were responding to the problem, and pupils were receiving the products that they required.

Members questioned whether pupils in special needs schools were also receiving feminine hygiene products. Officers confirmed that all schools including special needs schools were providing products free of charge to pupils.

Members queried whether work was being progressed across the various portfolios to look at how pupils who were unable pay for feminine hygiene products could receive them free of charge outside of school times. Officers acknowledged that there was currently no provision to provide products for pupils outside school times, and agreed that this needed to be looked at. Members questioned whether officers had spoken to other organisations who were currently providing similar support to young girls such as Wings Cymru. Officers commented that they were not aware of the organisation and stated that they would make enquiries.

Members questioned whether a portion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.