Agenda item
Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Gareth Thomas
Decision:
To accept and note the information in the report.
Minutes:
The item was submitted by Cllr Gareth Thomas
DECISION
To accept and note the information in the report.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted, drawing attention to some projects in
the Strategic Plan. It was noted
that the Education Principles had now been adopted by the Cabinet and would be considered when responding to any opportunities for the future. It was added that the department was looking forward to working with GwE in order
to arrange relevant training in order
to strengthen Leadership within schools.
In
looking at the Twenty First
Century Schools Programme it was noted that the majority of it could currently be seen in the Bangor catchment area. It was noted that construction
work had started at Ysgol y
Garnedd and arrangements were
continuing with the plans at Ysgol y Faenol. With the
Bala catchment area, it was
expressed that the Head had now been
appointed and that staff appointments would now start. It was expressed that the building had been used as a social space and that the first evening had been a great success.
It was noted that the work of transforming the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Provision was underway. It was added that Phase
1 of the transforming work
had been completed, but there were
a number of other aspects that required
attention in Phase 2 in relation
to the new act, and creating
new arrangements within work processes
across our schools.
It was noted that it was not possible to compare this year's results
with previous years because of the adaptations to the national policy. It was discussed that English GCSE results had dropped this year as a result of a substantial increase in the margins between grades. It was noted that though Qualifications
Wales had published an extremely technical report to justify its processes, officers and the Cabinet Member were
of the opinion that the justification was insufficient.
It was explained that discussions were ongoing.
Reference
was made to the financial situation and the Transport Overspend
specifically. The main reasons
were noted, which included
-
£149,000 as a result
of the a new contract following
the opening of Ysgol Hafod Lon
-
£125,000 due to new contracts in
the field of transport
-
£73,000 due to an increase in
the Dolgellau and Cymerau ABC units as both units were
open four days a week, while
the previous provision at
Ysgol Eifion Wyn had been open
five days a week.
-
£69,000 due to the impact of re-tendering over the summer.
-
£69,000 due to new mainstream contracts.
It was added that no
child would be transported without the necessary permission. It was noted that the department was working with the Environment Department and a further report to the Cabinet would follow.
Observations
arising from the discussion
- The overspend
in the transport service was discussed, noting that there
were many reasons for the overspend. It was noted that that the process
needed to be examined and lessons learned before moving on.
Awdur:Iwan Trefor Jones
Supporting documents: