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Agenda and minutes

Venue: GwE Offices, Bryn Eirias, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8BF

Contact: Sioned Williams  01286 632729

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Rita Price (Wrexham Diocese), Jonathan Morgan (Special Schools' Representative), Dr Gwynne Jones (Anglesey County Council), Steve Vincent (Welsh Government). 

 

2.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

Minutes:

No declaration of personal interest was received by any member present. 

 

3.

URGENT ITEMS

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

Minutes:

There were no urgent matters. 

 

4.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 165 KB

(copy enclosed)

Minutes:

The minutes of this committee held on 20 July, 2017 were accepted as being a true record

5.

FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2017 pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Host Authority's Head of Finance presented the report and explained that the Statement had been the subject of a Deloitte audit, external auditors appointed by the Auditor General Wales. 

 

The Deloitte representative reported that the Deloitte audit had been completed and that the report, overall, reflected very well on GwE and the Joint Committee.  It was noted that minor changes had been made to the report, including restructuring a paragraph at the bottom of page 15 and a typing error in the table on page 31, as raised by Deloitte after the agenda was sent to the Joint Committee.

 

It was explained that the next step, subject to the report being accepted by the Joint Committee, would be for the Chair and the Host Authority's Head of Finance, to sign the Representation Letter and return to Deloitte.  

 

IT WAS RESOLVED: To accept the report as amended.  

 

6.

INITIAL REPORT ON REGIONAL PERFORMANCE pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Managing Director of GwE presented the report, and thanked the region's educational staff for their hard work in achieving the results, with the following points made:

 

§  The results are not final as yet, and could therefore change. 

§  Performance in the Foundation Phase has increased across the region, the largest progress at a national level.  However, GwE's performance is lower than expected within the four consortia (third).  It was noted that further attention is required within the region, including Conwy and to establish whether there are issues with assessment or teaching. 

§  Key Stage 2 performance is very good and GwE has risen to first position amongst the four consortia. 

§  Progress at Key Stage 3 has been solid in 2017, however further support has been identified for Wrexham.

§  AT was eager to focus on KS4 results at the meeting.  He emphasised that the GCSE specifications for English, Welsh, Maths and Science had changed, therefore the baseline for 2017 is completely new.  Mathematics was identified for improvement.  Issues were also noted as regards attracting Heads of Maths to the region's schools.  Thirty one Heads of Maths have recently been appointed across the region, which poses a risk for the department's performance unless they obtain the necessary support. 

§  It was noted that Key Stage 5 is a national priority.  The data analysis is complex as the model of delivery varies within authorities across the region. 

 

It was noted that the Foundation Phase is concerning in Gwynedd and requires more attention.  It was asked whether the issue of attracting Heads of Maths is a national problem.

 

It was emphasised that attracting Heads of Maths to schools is very difficult, however that it proves easier for large schools as they have retention money.   It was suggested that one solution could be to appoint heads above the consortium which would allow for the possibility of moving heads around schools, as necessary - this will require further discussion. 

 

It was noted that the Welsh Government has launched a White Paper consultation on 16+ Education and the Joint Committee was asked whether there were any members present at the meeting recently held at St. Asaph concerning the paper. 

 

It was noted that the authorities had not received a White Paper from the Government, and that the region's authorities had not been consulted.  It was questioned why the Government's consultation had not involved key agencies in the area, and that the matter was unacceptable.  

 

It was confirmed that GwE had been involved in an initial discussion with the Government on the consultation. 

 

The question was asked regarding how we will measure our progress this time next year in order to raise standards and analyse the details. 

 

It was explained that GwE will report on live data, i.e. looking at factors such as Heads of Science, course work, and the number of learners who have already been entered for examinations, and analyse this information.  GwE will also be working closely with different departments and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

ESTYN RECOMMENDATIONS pdf icon PDF 406 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Managing Director of GwE explained that Estyn would be visiting GwE on 16 October following Estyn's Regional Inspection, held back in April 2016.  Estyn will be reporting on the progress made against the six recommendations included in Estyn's report after the inspection in 2016.

 

The meeting of GwE's Joint Committee will be held on 4 October, 2017 in order for committee members to express their opinion on the progress made against the six recommendations.

 

IT WAS RESOLVED: To accept the report.  

 

8.

GwE STAFF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT pdf icon PDF 242 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report was presented by GwE's Assistant Director, with the following noted:

 

§  GwE's Staff Performance Management Policy has been revised to better reflect the Regional Business Plan, and the new accountability and staff structure. 

§  With the new policy, GwE staff will be subjected to annual Performance Management every October, to be reviewed on a quarterly basis to monitor progress.

§  The changes will provide more developmental opportunities for staff, and provide them with more feedback and support to help them achieve their objectives. It will also enable staff to be more flexible with their objectives, by enabling them to review and revise their direction, if necessary, over the course of the year.  

 

IT WAS RESOLVED: To accept the policy. 

 

9.

DELIVERING EFFICIENCY SAVINGS TARGET pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Minutes:

The report was presented by DLE and it was noted that there was an efficiency savings target of £131, 967 in the base budget for 2017/18.  He explained that GwE had a history of under expenditure due to grants being allocated late in the financial year, and that attributing grant income was an issue due to administration and execution.  It was accepted that the grants need to be administered better in future. 

 

It was noted that the education budget has been safeguarded thus far, however what will happen in future if there will be further cuts. 

 

It was noted that it is impossible to foresee this, and rather to respond to things as they happen. 

 

It was noted that GwE would have to follow the same course as the local authorities, that is, whatever financial constraints are put upon the authorities, GwE will have to adapt its budget. 

 

It was emphasised that GwE's inter-authority agreement sets an agreed funding model. Amended contributions will have to be agreed by the partners.

 

It was noted that requirements in service areas, particularly statutory services, affect the budget in other services. 

 

IT WAS RESOLVED: To accept the report.  

 

10.

GwE FINANCE REPORT 2017-18 - QUARTER 1 REVIEW pdf icon PDF 266 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Host Authority's Head of Finance presented the report noting that an initial review estimated a net overspend of £10,660 against the budget, and that staff turnover and the period when the Managing Director was in an interim and part-time position have resulted in a relatively small one-off underspend.  

 

IT WAS RESOLVED: To accept the report. 

 

11.

MEETINGS CALENDAR pdf icon PDF 256 KB

Minutes:

The next meeting is due to be held on 4 October, 2017. 

 

It was noted that there has been one amendment to the meeting dates, and that the February 2018 Joint Committee will be held on 21 February 2018.