Agenda item

[NOTE:  Councillor G. Jones had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

Members considered sections of the draft new Corporate Strategy 2018-23 relevant to the remit of the Education & Children Scrutiny Committee.

The draft new Corporate Strategy will replace the current one published in 2015 and will consolidate the following plans into one document:-

-  the 2015-20 Corporate Strategy;

-  the Improvement Objectives, as required by the Local Government Measure

   2009;

-  The Wellbeing Objectives as required by the Wellbeing of Future

   Generations (Wales) Act 2015;

-  Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board key projects and

   Programmes for the next 5 years, as set out in “Moving Forward in

   Carmarthenshire: the next 5 years”.

It was noted that our Wellbeing Objectives do not have to change every year, or be deliverable within one year and that it is perfectly legitimate to set objectives which span more than one year.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·       Reference was made to the fact that the Education & Children Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment only on those areas of the strategy within its remit, however, it was pointed out that there are other areas whose actions and measures affect its remit too.  The Director of Education & Children agreed that his department contributes to many objectives which are led by other departments and suggested that in future the entire strategy be brought to Committee with the Education & Children elements highlighted. The Committee was informed that any cross-cutting issues are included in the Action Plan;

·       With regard to children who need specific help, officers were asked how they will ensure that the statements are carried out early in the child’s education.  The Director of Education & Children explained that the Authority has a duty towards these children.  Schools with over 100 pupil will get money for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and those schools with under 100 pupils approach the Authority for additional resources required to help with children with SEN.  The money is allocated in this way because the formula used does not work for schools with less than 100 pupils;

·       Reference was made to the European funding currently being received and officers were asked what will happen to that money in the future.  The Director of Education & Children informed the Committee that confirmation has been received that the money will be available until 2020;

·       Concern was expressed with regard to the statement in the report that “We aim to keep the percentage of looked after children who have experienced one or more changes of school during a period or periods of being looked after which were not due to transitional arrangements to a minimum” as it was felt that this should say “We will continue to reduce…”.  The Committee was informed that the wording was taken from a statutory Performance Indicator which forms part of the Social Services & Wellbeing Act.  Officers agreed to check and to change the wording if possible.

·       Reference was made to the statement about children carrying too much weight and concern was expressed about the lack of play areas and the fact that the Authority is closing playgrounds or transferring them or building on them and concern was expressed that there appears to be no joined up thinking.

RESOLVED to recommend to the Executive Board that the draft new Corporate Strategy 2018-23 be endorsed.