The
committee scrutinised the following cabinet board items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
Library
Service Review: A Sustainable Library Service 2020-2025
Members
received an overview of the Library Service Review 2020-2025, as detailed in
the circulated report.
Members
were pleased that the outcome of the Library Service Review would be to develop
a sustainable library service going forward.
In
response to Members queries an update was given on how the consultation would
be undertaken. It would include meetings
in libraries with all interested parties, these would include Members, library
users, groups and community trustees of libraries who have successfully
transferred over. Also, prior to these
meetings data was being collated on who users each library so that it can
inform the consultation meetings. In
addition, officers were attending public events to gain an understanding of why
libraries were not being used.
Members
identified the need to consider the effect on other community services that
share buildings with libraries and how any changes would impact on communities.
Consideration
would also be given, during the review to look at a variety of models of
delivery for the library service that were used by other local authorities
which would also inform the outcome of the review.
Officers
confirmed that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the
Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board containing the outcomes from the
review for Members’ consideration.
Following
scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by
Cabinet Board.
Annual
Pupil Performance Report 2017/18
Members
received a summary of the performance of Neath Port Talbot schools and its
pupils during 2017/18.
Members
discussed the increase in the numbers of children in receipt of Free School
Meals (FSM) and queried whether this increase was a contributory factor to the
reduction in school attendance numbers.
It was confirmed that it was a contributory factor as Neath Port Talbot
was amongst the highest in Wales in terms of the FSM percentages but it was not
the only factor. In addition, all
children received the support they needed to assist them progress.
Concern
was expressed at the lack of adequate initial teacher training received at
Universities and the need to include in the syllabus information on how to
recognise and deal with a variety of conditions that reflected in challenging
behaviours in the classroom. Members
felt that this should be raised with Welsh Government. Officers explained that the education
department provided a comprehensive training programme for teachers in regard
to Additional Leaning Needs which was well received in schools. Training
programmes were developed to include any new laws, changes and
information. A report would be brought
to a future meeting detailing the training provided and the effectiveness of
that training.
Attention
was drawn to the all wales statistical data and the figures contained within
that data for all councils was very close and that the attendance difference
was marginal. Officers referred to the
excellent work that was being undertaken by the Education Welfare Officers in
working with children ... view the full minutes text for item 4.