Minutes:
3. PRE-SCRUTINY
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
3.1
Welsh Government Feminine Hygiene
Grant
The
Committee received information in relation to the Welsh Government Feminine
Hygiene Grant as contained within the circulated report.
Members
queried why an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) had not been completed and
attached to the report. Officers explained that the report was for information
only, and that it was generally held that reports for information were not
usually subject to EIAs. Members commented that it may have been useful to
complete an EIA to demonstrate the positive impact that this particular item
had made.
Members
questioned whether the grant money received from Welsh Government (WG) covered
the schools’ costs for purchasing feminine hygiene products. Officers stated
that the grant subsidised the costs and eased the financial pressure on
schools, but did not cover all the costs. Officers informed Members that once
the grant money ceased the schools would have to pay the full cost from their
own budget once again.
Members
queried the timescale for purchasing the products using the grant funding and
distributing them to the schools. Officers explained that the schools were
already providing products to pupils from their own budgets. Officers added
that the only potential delay in using the grant funding would be if WG
specified that the money would have to be spent on vending machines to
distribute products to pupils; otherwise it was envisaged that there would be
no issue as the products would be given out via the existing mechanisms already
established by the schools.
Members
queried whether there was any data available which could provide an indication
of how many pupils relied on products from the schools, in order to try to
understand the magnitude of the situation. Officers stated that no specific
data had been collected to date, but it was possible that the information could
be obtained from the records held by the schools on the number of products
purchased and the number of products distributed to pupils. Officers added that
it had been previously deemed unnecessary to quantify as the schools were
responding to the problem, and pupils were receiving the products that they
required.
Members
questioned whether pupils in special needs schools were also receiving feminine
hygiene products. Officers confirmed that all schools including special needs
schools were providing products free of charge to pupils.
Members
queried whether work was being progressed across the various portfolios to look
at how pupils who were unable pay for feminine hygiene products could receive
them free of charge outside of school times. Officers acknowledged that there
was currently no provision to provide products for pupils outside school times,
and agreed that this needed to be looked at. Members questioned whether
officers had spoken to other organisations who were currently providing similar
support to young girls such as Wings Cymru. Officers
commented that they were not aware of the organisation and stated that they
would make enquiries.
Members
questioned whether a portion of the grant money could be used to purchase
sanitary disposal bins, as there was a significant cost associated with
emptying the bins. Officers confirmed that the grant could be used in this way,
but the bins were already in place in the schools.
Members
questioned whether it was possible for the primary schools and comprehensive
schools to share a common practice for distributing products in order to ease
transition from one school to the next, and to ensure that pupils were familiar
with the process for receiving products. Officers explained that they were not
entirely sure of the practices in place in the secondary schools, as each
school had their own different practice which appeared to be working. Officers
noted the suggestion from Members to introduce a common practice in the primary
schools and secondary schools.
Members queried whether it was possible to ascertain the cost of providing
feminine hygiene products to pupils throughout the borough, inside and outside
school term time. Officers stated that there were systems in place in the
schools for recording how much stock had been purchased and issued to pupils.
Officers added that this information could be used to provide an estimate of
the cost, and that it would be reported back to the Committee.
Members
suggested that further research may be required around the issue of feminine
hygiene products, as national statistics showed that one in ten 14 to 21 year
olds could not afford to buy feminine hygiene products. Members stated that
there could be potential issues with regard to attendance at schools as a
result of period poverty, and that it may be worth collecting figures for
school absences as a result. Officers informed Members that the issue had been
acknowledged, and was being addressed and dealt with accordingly. Officers
stated that the schools had removed the barrier and that the pupils had access
to the products; however officers acknowledged that it would be worth enquiring
with the schools if there were any further issues. Officers added that the
issue could be wider as some pupils did not always have support at home, and
some of the issues could fall under the remit of other committees too. Members
suggested that placing the item on the agenda for school governors could be one
way of collecting data. Members commented that there were support workers that
went to pupils’ homes to investigate cases of school absences and that they may
be able to contribute to the data collection.
Members
commented that the installation of vending machines was an unnecessary expense,
as money could be more effectively spent on products. Members proposed that the
Committee write to Julie James, Assembly Member, for clarity regarding the
conditions of the WG grant in order to establish whether there was a
requirement to purchase vending machines to distribute products to pupils, or
if products could be distributed using the existing practices in the schools.
Members urged officers to write to the Assembly Member also.
Member
questioned whether the grant money would be monitored and audited. Officers
explained that as part of the condition of the grant a highlight monitoring
report had to be provided to WG to account for how the money was spent.
Officers added that the report would be brought back to the committee for
information.
Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
3.2 Health Care Needs Policy
The
Committee received information in relation to the Health Care Needs Policy as
contained within the circulated report.
Members
queried how the principles and practices outlined in the policy could be
carried out with no additional funding available, particularly when arranging
training for staff. Officers stated that there had never been funding
available. Officers informed Members that head teachers had previously received
training which was still relevant. Officers explained that the guidance
received from Welsh Government was comprehensive and had been circulated to all
schools for reference.
Members
queried how teachers identified pupils with disabilities as they were not
always visual, and some symptoms were not visible until later on in teenage
years. Members commented that identifying disabilities and arranging support in
a reasonable timeframe was difficult. Officers explained that the policy
provided detailed guidance and best practice. Officers added that a lot of the
work had already been done with the schools on the matter.
Members questioned whether the arrangements for the administration of medicines
to pupils had been resolved. Officers stated that they were currently in
discussions with the unions. Officers informed Members that the option was
being explored to pay teachers and teaching assistants an honorarium rate for administering
medication to pupils. Officers explained that the matter was complicated as the
needs of pupils differed from school to school. Officers added that it was
difficult to produce a policy that suited all schools. Members questioned
whether officers were satisfied that there was a satisfactory approach in place
in in each school. Officers stated that they were satisfied with the approach
in each school, but there was an issue with regard to payments to staff for
providing this additional service for pupils.
Members
commented that an EIA could have been included with the report to demonstrate
the positive impact of the policy. Officers explained that consideration was
given to the need for an EIA, however, it was determined that as the report set
out policy expectations in terms of health care plans provided by schools and
did not contain recommendations that could be quantified it was felt no EIA was
necessary; however officers noted the comments made by Members in relation to
the positive impact.
Members
referred to governor training and the points raised on page three of the
policy, and acknowledged the immense responsibility on new governors. Members
commended officers on the development and modernisation of the training for
governors. Officers stated that new ways were always being explored to promote
training and to make access easier. Officers added that online training was
currently being looked at, as well as varying timeslots for physical training
and arranging training sessions in various communities instead of at the civic centres only.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the proposal to be considered by
Cabinet Board.
3.3 Quarterly Performance Management
Data 2017-2018
The
Committee received information in relation to Quarter 4 Performance Management
Data (2017/18) as contained within the circulated report.
Members
commented on indicators 27 and 28 regarding the decrease in visits to leisure
centres and libraries, and queried whether the figures referred to Authority
owned buildings only. Officers confirmed that the information only applied to
Authority owned buildings, as there was no mechanism in place to collect data
from outsourced and privately owned leisure centres. Officers added that the
data was only useful in monitoring information on Council owned facilities.
Members
queried why there was a slight rise in permanent school exclusions. Officers
explained that there were no issues generally across the board, but there were
specific issues in a couple of schools which was pushing the overall figure up
slightly.
Officers informed Members that there was an event arranged the following week
at the Princess Royal Theatre to encourage schools to register with UNISEF.
Members requested a report on the Respect agenda and a report on the outcome of
the UNISEF event. Members requested for both reports to be brought back to the
Committee in September/October.
Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.