Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors P.M.E. Jones and J. Williams. The Chair wished both of them speedy recoveries.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

None were received.

The Committee was provided with a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting scheduled for 21^st January 2016.  The Head of Learner Programmes noted that the 11 – 19 Strategic Review would now be included in 3 – 19 Curriculum and Assessment Review. The Senior Consultant advised that following the agenda despatch, the MEP Biennial Review had been deferred and the MEP proposal (Stage 3) for Copperworks Infants and Lakefield CP Schools had been included as an urgent item.

RESOLVED to note the list of forthcoming items, subject to the amendments above.

Councillor D.J.R. Bartlett declared an interest In that he is President of the Carmarthenshire branch of the National Union of Teachers.

The Committee considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2016/17 to 2018/19 (Appendix A) which had been endorsed by the Executive Board for consultation purposes at its meeting on 16th November 2015. It was advised that Welsh Government (WG) had announced the provisional settlement on the 9^th December and that Carmarthenshire would see a 1% cut in budget rather than the 3.3% on which the Strategy was predicated. WG had included within the settlement £35m to support education and £21m additional support for social care on an all Wales basis. This equated to £2.1m and £1.3m respectively for Carmarthenshire. If this equivalent funding was pass-ported down to the schools budget, this would reduce the £5.5m efficiency savings required on the schools budget in 2016/17. Currently not all specific grants had been notified and there was still a possibility that some may be included in to the final settlement as opposed to being a specific grant.. There had been no indication for the settlement in future years. In summary, the shortfall in efficiency savings identified for 2016/17 might not now be required, however delivery of the £13.6m identified savings was essential.

The following issues were discussed during consideration of the report:

Clarification was requested in relation to school budgets. The Director of Corporate Services advised that school budgets had been validated to take account of teachers superannuation, changes to national insurance and pay inflation. This amounted to just over £3m. If the £2.1m protection was passed in full to schools, this would reduce the efficiency savings required next year to £3.4m      therefore schools would be getting nearer the same level of funding in cash terms.

            Concerns were expressed that schools were currently working on plans to make the savings as originally planned which could involve staff redundancies. It was asked when schools would be given confirmation of their budget position following the provisional settlement. The Director of Education & Children stated that it was difficult as there was no firm information about the level of protection from WG. The Director of Corporate Services added that he had two concerns namely; the detail in relation to the settlement and protection of education which was not yet clear as well as how this Council would act when they were confirmed.

            Concerns were expressed that the uncertainty and timing of the final settlement in March just before the Council meeting on the 11^th gave Members no time to give the budget due consideration. The Director of Education & Children advised that his department still had to deliver the efficiency savings as identified in the report and it was important for Members to express their views as part of the consultation process. The Director of Corporate Services added that the Council needed to set the budget in February on the basis of the provisional settlement and it was likely that there would only be minor amendments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee considered the report which provided an update on the current financial position facing the Adult Community Learning (ACL) Service.  It was advised that the service was not core funded by the County Council and therefore dependent on Welsh Government (WG) grants to function. Over the past year, the service had experienced a significant reduction in the Welsh Government grants that fund course provision, staff and related buildings. In the absence of alternative funding, the service would not be able to continue to deliver the current range of courses, manage the range of service buildings and employ the related service staff. The Committee was asked to consider and comment on the recommendations in the report within the context of the approximately. £435k funding that should be available in the 2016-2017 financial year.

The following issues were discussed during consideration of the report:

Concern was expressed about the social impact of ceasing the range of courses currently delivered as well as the impact of relinquishing management and related running costs of the Community Education Centre. The Felinfoel Centre was cited as an old building which was likely to remain empty and attract anti-social behaviour. The importance of Adult Community Learning (ACL) in helping young people who had not gained qualifications through school was also highlighted.

A question was asked about the Llandeilo Community Education Centre. The Head of Learner Programmes advised that this was currently being managed by the Welsh for Adults (WfA) Service. The CEO/Head of Education Services added that part of the funding for WfA covered the running costs to the end of this financial year. As part of the new WfA tendering process for Wales, the Council has applied to be a provider in partnership with Pembrokeshire.

In response to comments about the other Community Education Centres, the Lifelong Learning Networks Manager clarified that the Glanaman Centre would be leased to Cwmaman Town Council under asset transfer arrangements and transitional funding arrangements were being considered. The Pembrey Centre is being run by Pembrey and Burry Port town council and the legal details to transfer the building to the council are currently in hand. Llanelli had more than 40 potential venues for ACL provision. The situation regarding the Carmarthen Centre had changed since writing the report, in light of the need for a secure examinations environment to deliver the accredited basic skills and ESOL provision.

Reference was made to the wide range of premises available across public services and the need for collaboration and co-location of services going forward in light of the budget cuts for all services.

RESOLVED:

7.1       That the report be received.

7.2       To endorse the recommendations relating to the Adult Community Learning Service to the Executive Board.

The Committee considered the explanation for the non-submission of the Capital Programme Budget Setting 2016/17 to 2018/19 and MEP proposal (Stage 3) for Copperworks Infants and Lakefield CP Schools.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2015, be signed as a correct record. 

RESOLVED to receive the minutes of the joint Education & Children and Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee held on the 23^rd November 2015.