Agenda and minutes

Cllr. Sonia Reynolds                         Re. Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 - as she is a trustee and Chair of Canolfan Meardy which hosts lots of tots along with being a School Governor at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Cae Gurwen

Cllr. Rebecca Phillips                       Re. Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 – as she is a School Governor at YGGD Trebanos and YGGD Pontardawe

Co-opted Member Adam Amor       Re. Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032  - As he is a School Governor of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg rhosafan and Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera bro dur. A relative also attends Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan.

That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved.

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

The committee chose to scrutinise the following cabinet board items:

Welsh In Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032Thank you to all the partners and agencies involved in this plan.

Members received an update on the outcome of the consultation on Neath Port Talbot’s draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032, as detailed within the circulated report.

Officers referred members to the IIA that was circulated as a supplement to the agenda which contained the full Impact including further detail from the original first stage assessment as detailed in the circulated reports.

It was also highlighted that the officer’s recommendation would be amended to read:

‘Having given due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment, circulated prior to the meeting, and the responses to the Consultation, the draft WESP be commended to Council for permission to submit to Welsh Government for approval.’

It was noted that the majority of the feedback from the consultation were positive responses. Along with a potential concern around the increase in numbers in education on the welsh language as whole. This was outweighed by the number of positive Reponses.

Members queried whether the delivery of the plan was attainable. Officers confirmed that they were confident tin the timescale on the delivery of the pan.

There were concerns around the monitoring of the plan and members queried the detail around the project management of the plan. Officers confirmed that there was a sturdy plan in place to monitor the outcomes and action plan. It was mentioned that groups would be formulated to focus on particular areas and they would meet regularly to share any concerns to ensure targets are met. It was noted that the plan would be annually reported back to the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee along with Welsh Government.

Discussions took place around the lack of mention of the pandemic in the plan. It was noted that the pandemic doesn’t feature a huge amount in the plan, however, it is being continuously considered by the whole Education Department.

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

Strategic School Improvement Programme - Proposal To Establish A New Welsh-Medium Primary School In Neath Abbey

Members received information in relation to a consultation on a proposal to establish a new Welsh–medium primary school at St John’s Terrace, Neath Abbey, Neath, SA10 7ND.

Discussions took place around the potential transition from the starter school to a new school in Coed Darcy. Officers highlighted that as nothing had currently been agreed that it’s best to consider that the school would continue in the allocated school.

School travel plans were discussed and it was highlighted that an informal assessment has been completed. However, it would be the responsibility of the School Governing Body along with the Council to draft a School Travel Plan.

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

That the Forward Work Programme be noted.