i.
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for
pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Boards reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Minutes:
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:
Childcare Facilities in Schools
The Committee considered the update report which sought to gain authorisation for the
ongoing and continuing development of childcare facilities on school sites and
to allocate delegated powers to the Head of Early Years, Inclusion and
Partnerships to authorise childcare developments on school sites.
In
regards to the capital builds, the officer confirmed that most of the programs
were on target, and were likely to be completed by the dates set out in the
report. It was noted, however, there could be a slight delay to Blaendulais Welsh/Bilingual and Cwmavon,
but only by a few months, due to groundworks unavailability.
In
response to queries raised by the Committee, the officers explained that
current childcare sufficiency audit information had been looked at to see what
provision was needed in each area and whether it was currently a Flying Start
area. Where appropriate, on-site schools, governors and the parents had been
consulted on what they felt was needed and the provider would then determine
the provision required for each site.
Members
of the Committee noted the importance of not competing with existing childcare
settings in areas but to ensure the gaps were being filled, particularly as a
number of settings had been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. The officers
agreed and explained that if there was already childcare in place, this would
be extended with capital if a need had been identified through the childcare
offer and in line with the Welsh Education Strategic Plan. If there was not a
childcare setting in place, then the expressions of interest would be
considered.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
Annual
Pupil Performance Report 2021
The
Committee extended their congratulations to the staff for their hard work and
wished them well for the forthcoming exams and other tests that would be taking
place in the near future.
Quarter
3 Performance Report
The
Committee considered the report which provided Members with quarter 3
performance management data, complaints and compliments for the period 1 April
2021 to 31 December 2021 for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning
Directorate.
Members
of the Committee noted the positive data contained within the report,
particularly in regards to the percentage of children learning Welsh, the youth
service and the communities for work, and thanked the officers for their hard
work.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
Think
Families Partnership Update
The
Committee received an update on the work of the Think Family Partnership,
including delivery of key programmes and services for children, young people
and families.
The
Members of the Committee queried why the Welsh in Childcare Award was to launch
in five new English settings, as opposed to Welsh language settings. The
officers explained that the aim of the award was to encourage English medium
settings to hopefully become bilingual.
It
was noted by the Committee that the childcare offer was worth £4.50 per hour
which, despite being higher than the standard rate which was approximately
£3-£4, was still very low. It was queried whether the Welsh Government had
given any indication of increasing the rate going forward as the fuel and cost
of living continued to increase. It was confirmed that there was a current rate
review ongoing across the childcare sector by the Welsh Government, however,
officers had not been informed yet of the outcome.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.