Agenda and minutes
Venue: Chamber - County Hall, Carmarthen. SA31 1JP. View directions
Contact: Michelle Evans Thomas 01267 224470
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies for were received from Councillor D.T. Williams and from Mrs G. Cornock-Evans (Parent Governor Member - Carmarthen).
In noting that this was the last meeting Mrs Jean Voyle-Williams would be attending in her capacity as the Church in Wales Representative, the Chair thanked Mrs Voyle-Williams for her service and wished her well in the future. Mrs Voyle-Williams thanked the Chair, Committee and officers for their hard work in scrutinising such an important area of work that benefits children and education in the County.
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DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST INCLUDING ANY PARTY WHIPS ISSUED IN RELATION TO ANY AGENDA ITEM. Minutes:
There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.
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PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED) Minutes: The Chair advised that no questions had been received.
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REVENUE BUDGET STRATEGY CONSULTATION 2019/20 TO 2021/22 PDF 134 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: [note: Councillors L. Bowen, B.W. Jones, D. Jones, G. Jones, E. Schiavone and Mrs V. Kenny had earlier declared an interest in this item.]
The Executive Board at its meeting on 19th November 2018 considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2019/20 to 2021/22 and endorsed the report for consultation purposes.
The Director of Corporate Services provided members with an overview of the Revenue Budget for 2019/20 and indicative figures for the following two years. Members were advised that there was a possibility of a negative settlement, with a 0.5% negative settlement relating to £1.1 million in real terms. In anticipation of the settlement reductions, significant work has been undertaken to identify further service efficiencies/rationalisation.
The Draft Budget takes in to account the effect of the increase in Teachers Pensions Employers Contributions from 16.48% to 23.6%, a cost of £2.75m in 2019/20 and £1.75 in 2020/21. It is likely that this will be funded by a grant from the Welsh Government via Central Government.
A grant of £15m has been made available by the Welsh Government to Local Authorities and it is projected that the share for Carmarthenshire is in the region of £900k, however it has been stipulated that at present the grant must be used for professional training. It is not known whether this may change.
Budget pressures around the Education and Children’s Services are due in the main to school based Early Voluntary Redundancies, Special Educational Needs provision, a shortfall in the Music Service SLA income and Out of County Placements. Overall, the Authority is forecasting a variance of £2.237m at the year-end that will have to be met from General Balances.
The Director of Corporate Services summed up by advising that in previous years school budgets had been semi-protected and receive 1% above the national payment from the Welsh Government. However recent changes have moved the responsibility to the Authority and schools are being asked to manage their own costs within a cash neutral budget (inc pay rises and general costs such as utilities and services). This is not an ideal situation and the £900k offered for professional training would go a considerable way to covering any budget shortfall in this area.
The Director of Education and Children acknowledged that the department is under increasing pressure financially with a standstill budget and identifying areas for reduction was difficult.
The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-
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EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL PLAN 2018/19 - 2021/22 PDF 170 KB Additional documents: Minutes: [NOTE: Councillors L. Bowen, B.W. Jones, D. Jones, G. Jones and E. Schiavone and Mrs V. Kenny had earlier declared an interest in this item.]
The Director of Education and Children gave an overview of the report and in particular drew member’s attention to the following items –
The following questions/observations were raised on the report –
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ERW BUSINESS PLAN 2018/19 PDF 157 KB Additional documents: Minutes: [NOTE: Councillors L. Bowen, B.W. Jones, D. Jones and E. Schiavone had earlier declared an interest in this item.]
ERW is a legally constituted alliance of six neighbouring Local Authorities (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Pembrokeshire and Powys). Its functions align and adhere to the national guidance for school improvement.
The Committee received a presentation on the ERW Business Plan 2018/19 which set out the key objectives, practice and direction of the region’s work. The business plan aligns profitably with the Authority’s local school improvement agenda, thus ensuring benefits and progress for all of Carmarthenshire’s school settings.
The following questions/observations relating to the presentation and report were raised –
RESOLVED that the report be received.
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TIC PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOLS UPDATE PDF 134 KB Minutes: [NOTE: Councillors L. Bowen, B.W. Jones, D. Jones and E. Schiavone had earlier declared an interest in this item.]
The Senior Manager, TIC Schools gave a presentation providing an update on the TIC (Transform, Innovate, Change) Programme – Support for Schools.
The TIC Schools’ programme aims to apply TIC principles of collaborative working, reducing waste and sharing good practice to support schools in reducing costs but, at the same time, protecting the quality of front-line service and improving outcomes. It also aims to strengthen relationships between schools and the Local Authority through partnership working.
The following questions/observations relating to the presentation and report were raised –
RESOLVED
7.1 that the information be noted;
7.2 that the Committee be provided with an updated copy of the savings made to date via the programme.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered the list of forthcoming items. The Committee was advised that the Local Authority Education Services Self Evaluation report would not be completed ahead of the January meeting.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting to be held on 24th January 2019, minus the Local Authority Education Services Self Evaluation report, be agreed.
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