Agenda and minutes

It was agreed, that Cllr Nia Jenkins be Chairperson of the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Declarations of interest were received from Cllr. N. Jenkins. Cllr. Jenkins declared to be being a School Governor at Maes Y Coed Primary School, Neath.

The interest was considered not to be prejudicial, which allowed Cllr. Jenkins to remain and participate in the meeting.

That the minutes of the previous Education, Skills and Wellbeing Cabinet Board, held on the 13^th of April 2023, be approved as an accurate account.

Questions must be submitted in writing to Democratic Services, democratic.services@npt.gov.uk no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda.  Questions will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

There were no questions received.

Members were provided with an overview to the circulated report.

Decision:

That the report be noted as a matter for information.

Members were provided with an overview to the circulated report.

Decision:

That the report be noted as a matter for information.

Decision:

That having due regard to the circulated report, with listed appendices including the integrated impact assessment, Members approve the following.

      I.          Introduction of a Personal Travel Budget as an additional means of travel assistance under the Councils Home to school Travel Policy 2017.

    II.          That the Personal Travel Budget be available for use in the academic year 2023/2024.

  III.          That the Personal Travel Budget continue to be inclusive of the exiting mileage allowance offers, with the addition of,

a.    Purchasing a travel pass for public transport.

b.    Paying a responsible person deemed to be appropriate by the parent/carer to help the child use public transport.

c.    Paying a responsible person deemed as appropriate by the parent/carer to walk or cycle to school with the child.

d.    Paying a responsible person deemed as appropriate by the parent /carer to drive the child to school.

e.    Paying for fuel.

f.      Paying for travel by taxi.

g.    Paying a childminder.

h.    To organise travel to separate home addresses where there is spilt custody.

Reason for Decision:

That the Education Transport Service, together with the Environment Directorates Passenger Transport department continue to manage budget pressures, which includes alternative options being made available through the Personal Travel Budget.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision be implemented following the three-day call-in period, which ended at 9.00am on Monday 29^th of April 2023.

Consultation:

There was no consultation required.

Decision:

That having due regard to the integrated impact assessment of the circulated agenda pack, Members approve,

      I.          Consultation to propose a 16-place specialist provision for primary age pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) at Blaenhonddan Primary School.

    II.          Consultation to propose an increase in the number of pupil places at Ysgol Y Coed from 90 to 115.

  III.          Comply with the formal consultation requirements imposed on the Council by the School Organisation Code.

Reason for Decision:

To comply with formal consultation requirements imposed on the Council by the School Organisation Code and to promote high educational standards of school children’s potential.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision be implemented following the three-day call-in period, which ended at 9.00am on Monday 29^th of April 2023.

Consultation:

Consultation is required under the Councils Strategic School Improvement Programme. Following approval by Cabinet Members, the consultation period will commence on the 6^th and end on the 18^th of June 2023.

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Regulation 5(4)(b) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290 (as amended).

There were none.