Agenda and draft minutes

None.

None.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Gareth Lewis to his first meeting of the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair also stated that at his discretion that he had agreed that the meeting would be held only on video conferencing due to the inclement weather and the safety of all.

Consideration was given the Report upon the Additional Learning Needs update, which was presented by the Cabinet Member, Councillor Wyn Thomas. The report provided an update in relation to Additional Learning Needs provision within Ceredigion schools and Specialist Resource Centres (SRCs)

Mrs Bethan Payne, Corporate Manager, ALN Inclusion and Wellbeing subsequently provided Members with a power point presentation highlighting the following:-

·       Staffing Update

·       Teacher Centre

·       EBSA

·       Responding to need – reviewing our provisions

·       Location of the Special Resource Centres

Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to note the report for information.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Wyn Thomas introduced the report on the updates in relation to the Behaviour and Wellbeing Forum. Ms Samantha Connolly, Corporate Manager, Engagement & Attainment Services then presented a power point presentation on the following:-

·       The overall purpose

·       Three Year Plan

·       Priority one- New PRU/EOTAS Panel

·       Priority 2 - Strengthen the link between behaviour and ALN

·       Priority 3 - Paul Dix: Parents, Behaviour and Attendance

·       Priority 4 - Universal Professional Learning Programme for Behaviour and classroom Management

·       Priority 5 - Joint Grant Education Applications

·       Exclusions in Ceredigion secondary schools (number of exclusions per 1,000 pupils)

Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED:

(i) to note the report for information; and

(ii) that Members receive a demonstration / training session on Behaviour and Classroom Management (using the Headsets)

Members also thanked Officers for their work in both services.

It was AGREED to note the content of the Ceredigion Youth Council minutes and to note future work of the Council to include a visit in the new year to the Senedd in Cardiff to meet with Elin Jones, to discuss current topical issues.

It was also agreed that Members of the Committee attend a future meeting of the Ceredigion Youth Council to view their work. 

It was agreed to note the current Forward Work Programme subject to: -

(i) that Members receive a demonstration / training session on Behaviour and Classroom Management (using the Headsets)

(ii) that Members of the Committee attend a future meeting of the Ceredigion Youth Council to view their work,

(iii) to invite a representative from Dyfed Powys Police to attend a future meeting to discuss their involvement and relationship with both the schools and relevant services withing the LA

(vi) that all 3 Workstreams visit the new Aeron Valley School at their next meeting

Councillor Euros Davies requested an update if advice had been sought from the Monitoring Officer if it was possible to visit the four primary schools which were currently subject to the consultation; to view the concerns raised in the consultation reports on the condition of the school buildings etc. It was reported that the advice provided was that it was not appropriate for the Committee or Workstream to visit during the consultation process.

He also stated that he had received a telephone call from an upset and angry parent regarding the recent press article in the Cambrian News. It stated that the Welsh Government ‘s Cabinet Secretary for Education had denied that a Ceredigion County Council chief had received a seal of approval from the Government when drawing up proposals to close four of the County’s rural Welsh Schools. In response, the Corporate Lead Officer Lifelong Learning and Chief Education Officer stated that they had received this information in writing from a Senior Civil Servant that the process by the County Council was compliant.

It was AGREED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous meeting of the committee.

Matters Arising

Disappointment was conveyed by Councillor Euros Davies and Gareth Lloyd that Cabinet had not considered the recommendation of the Committee as follows, as they had agreed to proceed with the recommendation without (i) and (ii) being received. Councillor Davies also stated that there hadn’t been an extensive discussion by Scrutiny Members on the recommendations presented at their meeting.

“Agree in principle to start the process of adopting Option 2 for September 2026, subject to:

(i) to the committee being provided with a draft Terms of Reference for the Strategic Board and Executive Board; and

(ii) to present the costings of proposal 2 to compare with the current post-16 provision costs within each of the six schools”

In response, the Corporate Lead Officer, Democratic Services and Corporate Lead Officer Lifelong Learning and Chief Education Officer stated that there had been a lengthy discussion on this item at the Cabinet meeting, and that it was their discretion to consider the recommendations of Scrutiny Committees.  Also, the information requested at the last meeting was currently being collated, but the LA were waiting to receive further information  regarding their allocation of Post Funding 16  from Medr, the new Welsh Government body responsible for funding. The work on the Terms of Reference was ongoing.