Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

It was confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising items 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 from the Cabinet Board Agenda.

Adam Amor (Co-Opted Member) - Items 8 & 13 Cabinet Board – Personal, Director of a Company who has worked for and is currently carrying out work for some of the services named. Also a school governor but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Paul Walker (Officer) – Item 14 Cabinet Board - Personal, Prejudicial (will leave room when discussed)

Cllr J. Henton – Item 8, Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr D. Whitelock – Item 8 Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr. N Goldup-John – Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr. S. Reynolds – Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr P. Rees – Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr R.Mizen – Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr W.Carpenter – Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr M.Crowley Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

M. Caddick (Co-Opted Member) Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr. S.Renkes Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

L. Newman Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr R.Phillips Item 8 – Personal, School Governor – Has dispensation to speak and vote.

Members were provided with information relating to the cost of living crisis and support offered by schools, as circulated within the agenda.

There were no questions raised. Members thanked officers for the information presented within the report detailed.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Admissions to Schools (Results of Consultation)

Members considered the report as detailed within the agenda circulated.

Members queried if officers had given any further consideration to the automation service for school admissions that has previously been discussed with school governors? Officers confirmed that they will look into it, but have not yet done so.

Following scrutiny, Members were supportive of the recommendation to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Quarter 3 Performance

Members considered the information as presented within the report circulated with the agenda.

Members queried  page 44, C P008, which relates to the 11 pupils studying Welsh. Members queried if enough was being done to ensure that the number of pupils studying Welsh continues to increase. Members were advised that this was part of the WESP strategy. For students to study in Welsh they need to have been doing this from an early age. This is an important aspect of the WESP strategy moving forward.

Members requested further information on the red indicator on page 48 relating to children looked after. Officers confirmed that one issue that is causing some problems is obtaining the required input from the health service.

Members raised queries with regards to communities for work on page 51 of the report. Members noted the lack of people engaging in the scheme. Officers confirmed that this item related to the over 25’s and this is a more difficult category of age to reach, due to several factors, Officers confirmed that one of the targets that will be put in place will be to engage with businesses so that they advise what skills they’re looking for. The scheme can then look at making sure that the people that are looking for a job have the right skills to match.

Members queried CP005 and 006 and sought an explanation for the drop in attendance. Officers confirm that attendance is one of the main priorities. COVID and subsequent recovery has had a massive impact on young people’s mental health and well-being, and engagement with the school. This includes the family that sits behind the young children. Further, there is a huge dip in Friday attendance rates from the data that has been analysed.

Attendance is one of the targets within the Corporate Improvement Plan and the School Improvement Plan. Officers outlined the decline in attendance could also be attributed to the cost of living crisis. Officers have been working with Social Services to remove some of the identified impediments that are contributing to low attendance levels.

 Officers outlined some steps that have been taken to address some issues raised and emphasised that there will be a concerted effort over the next 12-18 months to get attendance levels back to pre-pandemic levels.

Members queried if they could have information pertaining to attendance at each individual school as opposed to a blanket statement that covers all the borough. This can then be monitored moving forward.

Members were pleased to see the number of weddings exceed the projected KPI at the Orangery  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Members asked that a regular update on attendance be provided to the committee.

Members noted that Forward Work Programme with above addition.

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items.

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.

Resolved:       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.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Urdd National Eisteddfod 2025

Members considered the information within the report circulated.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendation to be considered by Cabinet.

Leadership arrangements - Celtic Leisure

Members considered the information within the report circulated.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendation to be considered by Cabinet.