Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the Leisure and Culture Sub Committee of the 29 January 2019, 3 May 2019, 5 September 2019 and the 22 November 2019  be noted.

     i.        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Boards reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Quarterly Performance Management Data 2019-2020-

Quarter 2 Performance (1 April 2019 – 30 September 2019)

Members received the quarter 2 performance management data, complaints and compliments for the period 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2019 for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate as detailed in the circulated report.

The decrease in attendance figures was discussed, and members noted that the recent sickness virus in schools had impacted on these figures.

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

Library Service Review

The committee received an overview of the review of the Library Service in Neath Port Talbot as detailed in the circulated report.

Clarification was given that the proposal to move the library headquarters to Ynysmaerdy School would not impact on other libraries in the area.  As the headquarters would be a storage facility and would be an Education Library Resource Centre for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

The committee heard that the review was a comprehensive one which included community libraries.  As a result officers would be meeting with all community libraries in January 2020 to find out what support they needed going forward.  Members asked that their appreciation be given to library staff, communities (who took over the running of libraries) and volunteers for all the commitment and dedication they had shown over the past few years in ensuring the library service continues to thrive.

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

Strategic School Improvement Programme – Proposal to establish specialist provision for secondary age pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Information was received on the the proposal to establish a specialist provision for secondary age pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) at Dwr y Felin Comprehensive School as detailed in the circulated report.

It was highlighted that 17 consultation responses were received all of which expressed support for the proposal.

The school would receive additional funding to support the proposal.  Specialist staff would be recruited which would benefit all schools, by sharing their knowledge and practice as the strategies for children who are not statemented are the same.  

Concern was expressed at the plan to allow the bus bringing children to this specialist provision into the school yard as there were already issues with vehicles accessing this area.    Officer explained that measures had been put in place to ensure children’s safety and that the children would be supervised in the controlled area on arrival and departure.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet board.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme 2019/20.  It was highlighted that site visits to Bae Baglan and Bro Dur will take place on the 3 February 2020.  In addition, the All Member Seminar on Additional Learning Needs Reform would take place on the 6 February 2020.  All members were encouraged to attend.

Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board  items:

Celtic Leisure Six Monthly Performance Review 2019-2020

and

Celtic Leisure Performance Review 2019 -20

The committee was reminded that both items had previously been scrutinised by the Leisure and Culture Sub Committee and that they were not being considered again but the Chairperson on behalf of the Committee wanted to brief the wider committee on their findings.

It was agreed that Celtic Leisure would attend the Leisure and Culture Sub Committee on a quarterly basis and attend Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee on a six monthly basis.

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

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