Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Cllr. Saifur Rahaman, (Item 4 A & 4B) – Personal, Family member receives support from the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Team.

Cllr. Peter Rees, (Item 4B) – Personal, Governor at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School.

Cllr. Nia Jenkins, (Item 4A) – Personal, Governor at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School

Cllr. Saifur Rahaman, (Item 4 A & 4B) – Personal, Family member receives support from the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Team.

Cllr. Peter Rees, (Item 4B) – Personal, Governor at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School.

Cllr. Nia Jenkins, (Item 4A) – Personal, Governor at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School

·        6 March 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th March 2025 were approved as accurate records of proceedings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th March 2025 were approved as accurate records of proceedings.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

The Head of Support Services and Transformation advised members that the report, was the final determination of the proposal to re-organise the additional learning needs provision at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School. There had been no objections received to the proposal during the consultation period and if approved, the re-organisation was planned for September 2025.

Members expressed support for the proposal and highlighted the importance of placing children with specific literacy difficulties in mainstream schools. Members enquired on the number of pupils who held school Individual Development Plans for specific literacy difficulties; what scrutiny is in place to ensure that pupils will receive high quality teaching to meet their additional learning need within mainstream schools. Members also questioned what Additional Learning Needs processes and evaluations are in place to ensure that the information provided to the Local Authority by schools is correct.

The Head of Service advised members that the report focused on the closure of an additional learning need provision where there were no pupils, therefore, it may be more appropriate for these questions to be answered by the Additional Learning Needs team in a future meeting. Extensive training is provided to schools to recognise dyslexia and other special needs. Schools are monitored regularly through Education Support Officers and Inclusion Services, with annual reviews for pupils holding Local Authority Individual Development Plans. Further information will be forwarded to members outside of the meeting. It was noted that the centre at Cwmtawe Comprehensive School has been empty for a considerable time period.

Members enquired whether teachers in mainstream schools received appropriate training in relation to additional learning needs and whether funding was available to support any training requirements. Members enquired whether the training was mandatory.

The Head of Service confirmed that an annual training package is provided and although not mandatory, the training is well attended. There is a follow-up process for schools that do not attend training.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

The Head of Support Services and Transformation advised members that the report was the final determination of the proposal to re-organise the additional learning needs provision at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School.

Members noted that the provision had not been used for some time.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

·        There are no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

There were no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

There were no Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme items for consideration.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Members considered performance monitoring items.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Education Development provided an overview of the report contained within the agenda pack. It was noted that 93% of the grant is delegated directly to schools, with the remaining 7% used for staff costs and training. The grant terms and conditions allow some funding to be used centrally to employ staff, but the majority is delegated to schools. Welsh Government uses a national formula to determine the allocation for each school, and local authorities are required to passport that funding to schools. The grant allocation is organised into four areas: Standards, Equity, Reform, and Cymraeg 2050.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Officers provided an overview of the report contained within the agenda pack. The grant has been received from Welsh Government for approximately five years and was initially aimed at female pupils; the grant has been expanded to enable girls and women across Neath Port Talbot to access free period products. Efforts are ongoing to expand the grant to more community groups and establishments. Members were encouraged to suggest new groups that could benefit from the free products.

The Chair welcomed the grant and thanked officers for their work.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Support Services and Transformation advised members that the report outlined the risks currently faced by the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate. Members were advised of two areas of serious concern; these have been escalated to the Corporate Strategic Risk Register, as they present a risk to the corporate body not only the Directorate.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA (6) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no urgent items.

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.

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.

Members considered the private item from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered the private item from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.