Agenda and minutes

None.

The minutes of the Meeting held on 9 October 2018 were approved as a true and accurate record.

Attendees:

-       Councillor Gail Giles  - Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

-       James Harris - Strategic Director - People

-       Sarah Morgan - Chief Education Officer

-       Martin Dacey - Assistant Head of Education

-       Katy Rees – Assistant Head of Education – Inclusion

The Cabinet Member for Education presented a brief overview to the Committee and highlighted the key areas from the report for consideration.

Members asked the following questions:

·           Members discussed the presentation of the report and how they felt that more insight and detail was needed in the Officer update. They also discussed how the graphs on the front page did not have titles on the axis, and there were a number of formatting issues throughout. Members stated that any acronyms used should have the full name provided in the first instance. The Officers commented that they could address the use of acronyms on the report, but the graphs and any formatting issues were out of their control. The Scrutiny Advisor explained that the Committees feedback would be passed to the Performance and Research Business Partner.

·           Members asked for an updated explanation of the remodelling of the Pupil Referral Centre (PRU). The Chief Education Officer apologised, explaining that the report was not available at this time. The Officer explained that there had been some careful planning around the remodelling the PRU. The Authority had initially been looking for a building big enough to accommodate the remodelling of the PRU. This had created a lot of background work, which included the assessment of capital assets, capital headroom and analysing previous and emerging trends to ensure the PRU remained fit for purpose. The Officer continued to state that ESTYN had confidence in the new PRU management and leadership structure. This new management and leadership structure had had an overall positive effect on the staffing and sickness levels, which should be reflected in the achievement of the young people. 

·           Members enquired if the Authority had any Out of County young people attending the PRU? If so, what was the transport costs associated with these and who paid? The Officer confirmed that there were no young people on Out of County placements in the PRU, and any transport costs were tracked and managed by NCC.

·           A Member commented that in some schools they had Year 13 Pupils acting as learning mentors for younger pupils who need extra support. The Member asked if all schools had had that in place. The Chairperson commented if that had been the case then it must have been after careful selection, and only in place to inspire the pupil who needs the extra support. Another Member commented that learning mentors should not be used as a child teacher. The Officer replied that they can only comment on what they control.  This report looks at the central Education department and that the individual actions of schools and teachers were not something that they reported on.

·           Members asked the Officers for a breakdown of staff at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

a)       Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 1)

b)       Information Reports

c)       Scrutiny Letters

Attendees:

·                Daniel Cooke – Scrutiny Adviser

a)         Forward Work Programme Update

The Scrutiny Adviser presented the Forward Work Programme, and informed the Committee of the topics due to be discussed at the next two committee meetings:

Tuesday 4 December, the agenda items;

·               Adult and Community Services Service Plan - Mid Year Review

·               Children and Young People Service Plan – Mid Year Review

Tuesday 15 January 2019, the agenda item;

·               Draft Budget Proposals

Councillor Joan Watkins gave her apologies for the meetings on 4 December 2018, and 15 January 2019.

Rebecca Penn gave her apologies for the meeting on 15 January 2019.

b)        Action Arising

None

c)         Information Reports

None.

d)        Scrutiny Letters

None.