Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

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

None received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

·        16^th March 2023

·        13^th April 2023

The minutes of the meetings held on 16^th March 2023 and 13^th April 2023 were approved as true and accurate records.

The minutes of the meetings held on 16th March 2023 and 13th April 2023 were approved as true and accurate records.

To note this item for information.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Members queried the correlation between pupils free school meal status and attendance. Officers confirmed that pupils in receipt of free school meals had poorer attendance than pupils who did not receive free school meals. Members congratulated the team on the amount of work carried out in making the correlations and looked forward to the outcomes of the work.

Members enquired if Estyn had been contacted and what was their approach to absence. Officers commented that Estyn were concerned that our Covid attendance recovery rate has been slower than other local authorities. Conversations have been held with Estyn on a number of matters, including standards, attendance and safeguarding; Estyn will discuss attendance with individual schools on a school by school basis.

Members questioned if families were continuing to take holidays outside of term time due to financial pressures. Officers advised there has not been an increase in the number of holidays taken by individual families but there has been an increase in the amount of families taking holidays during term time. However, Officers noted that Neath Port Talbot do not fine parents for taking a single holiday if attendance is otherwise good.

The report is for information and is noted.

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

Seren Programmme

Following scrutiny, members noted the item for information.

Personal Transport Budget

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

Increased Planned Places - Permission to consult

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

Seren Programme

The Officer gave an overview of the report as detailed in the circulated agenda.

Members noted it was pleasing to hear of the collaboration between Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges but queried if there was also collaboration with Gower College and College Sir Gâr? Is there a breakdown of the background and type of backgrounds of students on the programme; is funding help available and what support is in place for the culture shock that pupils may experience? Officers confirmed that work is carried out collaboratively and Neath Port Talbot are part of the South Central Wales region which also includes Swansea, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. College Sir Gâr is part of the Carmarthenshire/Ceredigion/Pembrokeshire hub and Neath Port Talbot work with them to ensure students can access sessions where appropriate. In relation to finances, there is a close relationship with the Widening Participation Team. Alumni students provide support to students throughout the process. The Seren programme is a free of charge programme available to pupils from all backgrounds, close work is undertaken with schools to support pupils if additional support is needed.

Members asked for information on the flexibility of the programme. Officers advised that students were identified by teachers and it was pupil choice whether to take up a place in the programme. In years 8 and 9, pupils can take part in opportunities informally and join the Welsh Government programme formally in year 10. Teachers will work with pupils to identify any barriers to the pupil entering the programme

Following scrutiny, members noted the item for information.

Personal Transport Budget

Officers outlined the report that was circulated with the agenda.

Members commented on the level of flexibility the proposal would bring and the potential benefits to individuals and queried if there had been any discussion with Community Transport Operators? The Officer confirmed that currently we are unable to use charity run community transport groups however community operators could become involved if they followed the procurement process. This may be a topic for future discussion, and will be taken up with colleagues in Environment.

Members questioned whether any additional funding would be incorporated into the Home to School Transport Budget in relation to the forthcoming introduction of a 20mph speed limit, which is likely to affect operating costs. The Officer confirmed that this has been identified as an additional risk to the Home to School Transport budget and is currently under careful monitoring. Operators are concerned but currently it is unclear how costs will be affected long term.

Members queried contingency arrangements should parents’ circumstances change. Officers confirmed there was no availability in the system to plan for unexpected circumstances.

Members questioned whether Transport Workers could work with pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) to enable them to travel to school by school mini bus instead of taxis, this would upskill the pupil and save money long-term. Officers confirmed that an additional Transport Worker has been employed to specifically work with pupils with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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.