Venue: Port Talbot Civic Centre / Remotely - Hybrid
Contact: Alison Thomas Email: a.thomas6@npt.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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Chair's Announcments Minutes: The
Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies
were received from Cllr R Mizen. The
Chair confirmed, Members of the Committee would be
scrutinising items 7, 9 and 10 of the Cabinet Board. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: Cllr
S. Reynolds made a declaration of interest against item 7 of the Cabinet Board
Agenda. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 127 KB ·
27th October 2022 Minutes: Minutes
of the previous Education, Skills and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, held on the
27th October 2022, were approved as an accurate record. |
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COVID-19 Update (verbal) Minutes: The
Scrutiny Committee were provided with a verbal update
to Agenda item 4. It was noted, the impact of Covid contributed to the decrease in pupil attendance,
primarily affecting individual mental health and wellbeing. Members were informed, learning experiences in terms of literacy and
numeracy faced an ongoing deficit. Staff were continuing to support pupils and
families on this. Policy
restrictions, parental guidance and media coverage continued to be a challenge.
Benefits were highlighted for technology development,
particularly with synchronous and asynchronous learning platforms. Staggered
changes to structures were now being seen within schools,
an example being reduction of breaks times. Officers
advised, since July 2022 Covid absences were no longer recorded as a specific reasoning to pupil
non-attendance. |
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Forward Work Programme 2022/23 PDF 414 KB Minutes: Members
queried an update of a request made on the scrutiny forward work programme
relating to the cost of living crisis. Members
advised a report would be due at a future Committee, scheduled and this is scheduled within the Forward Work Programme. Members
made a request for an update surrounding Language Welsh within Schools
following the outcome of the census programme. Members
also made a request that Officers fully inform the Scrutiny Committee of reports
expected at Cabinet Board meetings so that due process had
been followed in terms of Scrutiny processes. |
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Pre Decision Scrutiny To
select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny
(Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members) Minutes: Quarter 2 Performance Members
reviewed the Quarter 2 Performance report, and asked Officers to explain the outcome
of PI.2.4, linked to Well-being Objective 4. Members queried the low figure of
22, against the target figure of 45. Officers
give an overview of the challenges faced, especially in terms of funding. A
reduction in European funding along with the shared prosperity fund was
discussed. Members were also informed of the difficulties in engagement
processes with families post pandemic. Members were advised, Officers were keen
to explore an avenue of alternative tactics in combating the ongoing issues. Members
gave thanks to the continuing efforts and progress Officers had in raising
money within communities and an increase to income generation for ongoing
events at specific locations, including Margam Orangery and the continuation of
Weddings. The
agenda item is a matter for monitoring and will be noted. Education Safeguarding Members
were presented with the report which contained an update on the safeguarding of
Children within Schools across the County Borough. Officers
received questions relating to a training event, which took place in November
2022. The Co-opted member asked Officers to confirm that the event went ahead
and requested some feedback in terms of positives and any negatives faced
during the event. Officer’s
confirmed the event went ahead on the 28th November 2022, and was
well attended stating the event had been just short of 50 attendees. Members
were advised, following the event schools had requested a train the trainer
session in the hope of bringing the virtual training forward. Officers also
confirmed funding had been secured to run the train the trainer event. The
report is a matter for monitoring and is noted. Pupil Attendance Members
were provided with an update on pupil attendance within Neath Port Talbot
Schools, and particular issues relating to this context. Members
stated the report to be interesting, but highlighted the challenges going
forward in terms of parents opting to home school children. Members raised
concerns to the quality of home schooling and the impact to the registration of
children. A
home schooling bill of a mandatory attendance register proposed within English
schools was tabled. Members queried if this approach had been considered for
schools in NPT. Officers
provided Members with an explanation, stating a report would follow later in
the year as part of the forward work programme. The report would contain
details of elective home schooling. Officers went on to confirm, schools had
seen an increase in the number of pupils being home schooled. Members were
updated on the new guidance currently in draft format, and Officers divulged
pupil attendance registers were being considered, along with forms to capture
details how home schooling is being delivered and what improvements can be
made. Members
questioned penalties notices parents faced for lack of pupil attendance, and
what if any considerations were given during ongoing tough times, especially in
terms of the cost of living crisis. Members were informed, schools had issued warning letters of fixed penalty charges but ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Urgent Items 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. Minutes: There
were none. |