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
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: The
following Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the
meeting: Cllr R Taylor:
Report of the Head of Transformation re: Additional Learning Needs Statutory
Process as she has a family member who falls under that category. Adam Amore: Report
of the Head of Participation re: Annual Report on NEETs 2018 as he is a
director of a company that the youth service is a client. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 77 KB Minutes: The
Committee noted the minutes. |
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Access to Meetings 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. Minutes:
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: The Committee scrutinised
the following matters:- Cabinet Board Proposals 4.1 Margam Catering and Twyn Yr Hydd Members
received information on the management proposals for catering arrangements at
the Orangery and Charlottes Pantry, and considered the lease arrangements for Twyn Yr Hydd,
as detailed in the private report. Officers
highlighted the success with the development of the park and highlighted that
there was a presentation available which would be presented to Members of the
Committee. Members requested that the presentation be presented to all Members
of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee and requested that the Margam Business plan be deferred to the next meeting of
Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee. Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board. 4.2 Primary Schools catering Review Members
were provided with an update on ensuring that the duties of Primary School
Cooks and the hours of work of primary school catering service employees
mirrored the current demands of the service. Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted. |
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Committee resolved into Open Session |
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Additional Learning Needs Statutory Processes PDF 258 KB Report of the Head of Transformation Additional documents:
Minutes: Members were provided with
information regarding statutory processes for learners with Additional Learning
Needs (ALN) and in relation to current data in relation to pupils with ALN. Members raised a query in
relation to Special Educational Needs and Additional Learning Needs
assessments, and questioned whether there were enough practitioners at all
schools who were aware of the various issues facing children to help identify
the need for additional support in young people’s education. Officers explained
that all staff within the whole school were aware of identifying those needs
and there was an ongoing rolling programme of training in order to continue to
raise awareness and build capacity across all schools. Members questioned whether
all schools were responsive to parental concerns in helping to identify those
additional learning needs. Officers explained that it varied. Members queried that there
was an ‘other reasons’ category included in the exceptions on appendix 1 and
asked what would be included in the ‘other reasons’ category. Officers
highlighted that the statements were monitored within the 26 weeks, however,
there were other timescales within the 26 week period which could delay the
process. Officers highlighted that they always tried to work with the parents
to make sure that targets were met. Officers confirmed that they would
circulate the percentage breakdown of the individual exception categories. Members asked whether the
statement figures include all referral figures. Officers confirmed that they
didn’t, but highlighted that last year 31 requests were declined. Members asked
officers to circulate the number of referrals made and how many from those
referrals were statemented. Members highlighted
that if statements were being issued and then amended did that allow a child to
have support earlier. Officers confirmed that the child would have support
earlier. Member’s highlighted
that with the rise of requests for statutory assessments, would this cause
pressure on the staff. Officers highlighted that the pressure would increase. Members highlighted the
significant rise in movers to Neath Port Talbot and asked why had there been an
increase. Officers explained that there were numerous reasons why there was an
increase of people moving to Schools within Neath Port Talbot. It was noted
that Neath Port Talbot was a reasonably affordable area to live, which
attracted people to move to the area. It was noted that there could be a
potential rise due to people moving closer to family. Following discussion
members requested information on the number of Statemented Children that are
Home Schooled. Following scrutiny, it was
agreed that the report be noted and summarised that the following information
be circulated to the Members of the Committee: ·
Information on
the number of Statemented Children that are Home Schooled. ·
The number of
statutory statements issued following applications ·
Percentage
breakdowns on the exceptions. |
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Pre-scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:- Cabinet
Board Proposals 4.1 Annual Report on NEETs Members were informed of the outcomes and progress
made with young people who were not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
or those young people who were at risk of becoming NEET. Members were also
informed on how the new developments may affect this area of work. Members asked for information on the replacement of
Communities First. Officers highlighted that the Communities First legacy grant
was providing support for additional work for NEETs. It was noted that there
was flexibility to fund the NEET work and that the Legacy Fund had been used to
fund the Youth Workers. It was noted that a 12 month breakdown of the funding
by ward would be circulated to Members. Member’s questioned how long the Legacy Fund would
last. Officers highlighted that Welsh Government had guaranteed two years. Members queried whether Youth Workers were trained
to identify whether children needed extra support. Officers confirmed that all
Youth Workers were qualified and received training to identify issues that
young people may have which reflect in their behaviour. Members asked how many NEETs had statements.
Officers clarified that it was currently not a figure that was collected. Members requested information on the
apprenticeships that were offered to the young people. Officers highlighted
that Mrs Thomas ran the apprenticeships and provided a general background on
them. Officers explained that they were hopeful that the young people would
benefit from the opportunities. The Cabinet Member commended the young people and
the Officers. Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted. |
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Forward Work Programme 2018/19 PDF 152 KB Minutes: Members
noted the Forward Work programme, subject to the following additional items to
be included: · Report on the Audit of Teaching Religious Education in
Primary Schools. · Report on Childcare Facilities · Report on Junior Apprenticeships
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