Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Committee received for consideration an update on the Authority’s implementation of the provisions enshrined within the Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, which aimed to transform the expectations, experiences and outcomes for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). 

The report detailed the Authority’s progress to date, areas of best practice, areas for improvement and the future developments required to support ongoing reform.   The Committee was advised that the Authority was on target to transfer all children to the new ALN system by the end of the 2024/2025 academic year.

The Committee thereupon received a presentation which detailed the experiences of Ysgol Y Bedol, Ysgol Peniel and Ysgol St. John Lloyds in embedding the ALN system within their respective schools.

The Committee reviewed the areas considered to be working well and those that needed to be addressed in terms of the role of the ALN Co-ordinators, training and support, Person-Centred Planning approaches and the ongoing partnership working with health professionals.  The Committee acknowledged the endeavours of the Authority in embedding a system which ensured the availability and delivery of bilingual resources, assessments, staffing and sufficiency of specialist provision. In this regard the Committee was informed that the Authority was the Welsh National lead in working across Local Authorities to ensure Welsh provision is in place and resources are being developed to support ALN transformation.

In considering the challenges for the implementation of ALN it was noted that the main areas centred upon staffing capacity, consistency in ALN identification, funding and resource allocation, quality assurance of Individual Development Plans (IDPs), multi-agency collaboration and engagement with non-maintained settings and meeting post-16 learner responsibilities. 

The issues/observations raised by the Committee were addressed as follows:-

The Committee expressed concerns regarding the unacceptable NHS delays in children receiving autism and ADHD assessments but were encouraged to note that support was available to all pupils with additional learning needs, regardless of formal medical diagnosis.

The Additional Needs Provision Manager, in response to a query, appraised Committee of the array of measures undertaken by the Authority to enhance consistency of ALN procedures across schools; these included universal provision requirements, the sharing of best practice, the provision of a comprehensive training and support programme and close working arrangements with schools.

It was clarified to members that legislation prescribed that IDPs were expected to be completed within a period of 12 weeks using a person-centred approach and information gathering from a variety of sources / appropriate stakeholders.  Furthermore, an enhanced ALN transition protocol had been embedded within the Authority to ensure that appropriate pupil information could be shared seamlessly within the confines of data protection protocols.  Accordingly, IDPs were deemed to be flexible documents which would transfer with pupils who moved schools, including the transition from primary to secondary schools.

The ongoing review of the role requirements and pay structure of ALN Coordinators and Teaching Assistants was welcomed by the Committee, though it was acknowledged that any increases to the pay awards would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[NOTE:  Councillor B.W. Jones, having earlier declared an interest in this item, remained in the meeting during its consideration but did not vote.]

The Committee considered the Authority’s draft MEP Strategy which had been developed to direct the future delivery of the new Modernising Education Programme. The draft strategy was guided by a set of strategic aims and underpinned by the principle of a holistic approach and the requirement to enhance and support a range of national, corporate and educational objectives.  Furthermore, the draft strategy detailed the viability and investment criteria required to ensure an appropriate and transparent method of developing school organisation and investment proposals.

In presenting the report the Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language reminded Committee that a comprehensive public consultation on the draft strategy had been undertaken between 13^th February 2024 and 12^th March 2024 and all feedback provided would be considered by the Cabinet.

The issues/observations raised by the Committee were addressed as follows:-

In response to concerns raised in respect of new school buildings reaching pupil capacity within a short period of time, the Director of Education and Children’s Services appraised Committee of the Welsh Government guidelines in respect of the design of new school buildings.  It was reported that the Cabinet had, on occasion, previously accounted for the projected future capacity requirements of new schools during the design phase of buildings where the information available anticipated future growth; nevertheless, such decisions were made at risk and could incur financial penalties from Welsh Government should the future capacity projections not materialise.  A request was made that the designs for future new buildings accommodate the potential to add extensions should the space and requirement allow.

The Modernising Education Programme Manager clarified, in response to a query regarding the significant timeframes involved in the delivery of new school build projects, that the Authority was able to base its projections for a period of 5 years, and project plans were periodically reviewed to ensure accuracy prior to the commencement of construction work.  Furthermore, there was also an opportunity to amend the scope of a project with Welsh Government if required, however these were subject to certain conditions being met.

Reference was made to the significant financial pressures within the Education and Children capital programme whereby it was explained that school repairs and maintenance were prioritised according to areas of greatest needs; it was however acknowledged that the available budget was insufficient to meet the needs of schools.

In terms of improving the quality of buildings, a concern was expressed that the draft strategy referred only to new school buildings.A discussion thereupon ensued on the Carmarthenshire’s Primary Educational Principles set out within the report.  In this regard, a suggestion was put forth for the Cabinet to consider the removal of the education principle pertaining to no more than 2 year groups being allocated per teaching class on the basis that this would place additional pressure on staff and uncertainty for parents.  In respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee received for consideration the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Annual Report which detailed the work undertaken by the Committee during the 2023/24 municipal year. The report had been prepared in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Council’s Constitution and provided an overview of the work programme and key issues addressed, whilst also incorporating any issues referred to, or from, the Cabinet, Task and Finish reviews, development sessions and member attendance.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be endorsed.

The Committee reviewed its draft Forward Work Plan for 2024/25 which had been compiled following the Committee’s informal planning session held on the 10 April 2024 and subsequent feedback provided by members and officers.  It was emphasised that the Forward Work Plan was a flexible document that could be updated throughout the year as and when required.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Plan 2024/25 be approved.

The Committee received a report which detailed the progress achieved in relation to requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings of the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that that the information requested by the Committee in respect of the calculation of the funding formula and school budget allocation per head would be circulated to the Committee imminently.  Further information in this regard would also be included within the schools budget report which was scheduled to be considered by the Committee at its next meeting.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be noted.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 May 2024 be signed as a correct record.