Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:-
Cabinet
Board Proposals
7.1 Education through Regional Working (ERW)
Business Plan 2017 – 2020
Members
considered a presentation from the Chief Executive of ERW in conjunction with the
draft business plan.
Members
asked if there were any specific problems within the workforce and were advised
that if there was a local problem then it was probably a national problem also.
Officers advised that there is a need to reduce negative social media coverage
particularly in relation to the perceived standard of teaching.
Officers
advised that it was thought that the recent ESTYN inspection report was deemed
to be fair and whilst some schools had scored highly it was essential that all
schools received support so that all schools move along.
Members
asked how the morale levels with teachers and teaching staff were and officers
stated that there are occasions when they feel devalued due to the blame
culture associated with ESTYN Inspections in relation to teaching.
Members
asked how the cross boundary relationships were working and whether challenge
advisors were working cross boundary. Officers confirmed that within the
Executive Board individual Council’s Directors challenge each other at regular
meetings. It was also confirmed that it is possible for Challenge Advisors to
work across boundaries but it must be manageable and sensible.
Members
asked were the Challenge Advisors still undertaking two visits a year to
schools unlike other areas where visits have ceased to some schools. It was
confirmed that ERW will still undertake at least two visits to schools within
the area and schools that require more support will receive more visits if
required. It was confirmed that other areas had ceased visiting schools that
were classed as green and this has seen those schools deteriorate due to a
reduction of support.
Members
asked what is going to be the impact of the reform of Additional Learning Needs
and it was confirmed that as yet the impact could not be known but more
information will become evident when Welsh Government explain the impacts of
the Bill at the end of February.
It
was noted that ESTYN had suggested an evaluation of ERW being good for school
improvement and leadership and Members asked why ESTYN were asked to comment.
Officers stated that there is a requirement for comments from ESTYN because the
consortium can evaluate itself as good but there needs to be an external
agreement of this to show that there has been an objective review and
evaluation also.
Members
asked why some of the outstanding actions from 2015/2016 had not been brought
forward to 2016/2017. Officers confirmed that a decision was taken that in the
previous business plan there was too much detail and some of the actions
including those that have not been carried forward are the daily tasks of the
consortium.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
7.2 Childcare Facilities within Schools in
Neath Port Talbot
Members
considered the report on Childcare facilities within schools in Neath Port
Talbot that sought to develop facilities in additional schools.
Officers
advised that the report also acted as a progress report that was presented on
an annual basis. Members asked why should it be the Council’s responsibility to
take this forward and officers confirmed it was taken forward because if it
wasn’t then there was a danger it could come unregulated plus there is a
statutory duty on the Council.
Members
asked what the difference was between established child care facilities and
those arranged by Flying Start it was confirmed that only one element was
Flying Start and these were provided for 2.5 hours a day for 42 weeks a year.
Members
asked for clarity in relation to the recommendation on providing the relevant
officer with delegated powers. Officers stated that this had always been the
case but this report was passing that authority to another officer.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
7.3 NPT Draft Response to the Welsh
Government Consultation Document ‘Reform of School Governance: Regulatory
Framework’
Members
considered a report that highlighted the Council’s draft response to Regulatory
Framework for School Governance.
Members
noted that they wished for the inclusion of minor authorities to continue which
would allow community councillors to become governors of schools. Officers
stated that they would reflect this in the consultation and agreed that it
would add to the skills mix of respective governing bodies.
Members
stated that there is nothing within the framework in relation to the skills
required by Governors and suggested that this should be included within the
framework. Officers responded by suggesting that it should be down to each
governing body to decide on what skills are required.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
7.4 Pupil Attendance Update
Members
considered a report that they had requested in relation to Pupil Attendance.
Members
asked whether penalty notices are still being issued and officers confirmed
that because there are still some issues and penalty issues continue to be
issued. However it was confirmed that a third of those who had received a fixed
penalty notice had showed significant improvement in their attendance.
Members
asked where the fixed penalty notice sat in the process and it was confirmed
that it is the step prior to court action and offenders generally pay the fixed
penalty of £60 as opposed to the court fine of potentially around £600 to £700.
Members
noted that the attendance figures for Ystalyfera had
improved and Members asked what they are doing within the school to improve.
Officers stated that because individuals wish to attend the school this has a
bearing on attendance but where there is best practice this is shared across
the County Borough.
7.5 Agreement of the proposals for the
updating and implementation of the Route 16 (16 and Leaving Care) Team
Financial Policy
Members
considered the report that sought agreement to implement an amended financial
policy in relation to Route 16.
Members
raised concern that of over 190 consultation booklets were circulated but none were
returned and asked officers if they knew what the reasons for this were.
Officers confirmed that they were unaware of any reasons why they were not
returned but it may be because there was no incentive for the service users to
complete them.
Members
suggested that in future it may be better for the support workers to have a
short questionnaire that they can ask the service users during consultation
periods.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of recommendation one contained within
the report ‘The revised Route 16 Financial Policy with the Participation
Premium retained and amended Qualification payments for implementation from 1st
April 2017’.
7.6 Children’s Services Annual Staff Survey
Members
considered a report that highlighted the findings of the 2016 survey of the
Children and Young People Workforce.
Members
enquired if there had been improvements made within the Adoption Service.
Officers stated the Improvement Member Panel have visited the team and
following this discussions had been held with the Director of Social Services
in the City and County of Swansea. It was confirmed that the Improvement Member
Panel will be revisiting the team shortly to hear of the improvements that have
been made.
Members
asked had the survey identified improvements across the Department and it was
confirmed that overall the responses were positive but there were pockets which
require further work.
Members
noted that that within the Team around the Family there appeared to be issues
and asked whether they were in the process of being addressed. Officers stated
that the team had recently moved from the Education Directorate and following a
visit by the Improvement Member Panel issues had now been addressed.
Members
asked how was it possible to identify the service areas affected if the surveys
were completed anonymously. Officers stated that there was a mixture of
anonymous and non anonymous completion so
identification of the respective areas was possible.
Following
Scrutiny the report was noted.