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Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Sioned Williams  01286 679729

Items
No. Item

1.

ELECT CHAIR

To elect a Chairman for 2018-19.

Minutes:

IT WAS DECIDED to elect Councillor Gareth Thomas as Chairperson for 2018/19.

 

2.

ELECT VICE-CHAIR

To elect a Vice-chairman for 2018-19.

Minutes:

IT WAS DECIDED to elect Councillor Phil Wynn as Vice-chairperson for 2018/19.

 

3.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

 

Councillor Phil Wynn - Vice-chair (Wrexham County Borough Council), Peter Agnew (Secondary Schools' Representative), Arwyn Williams (Anglesey County Council), Dafydd L. Edwards (Host Authority Head of Finance - Gwynedd Council), Steve Vincent (Welsh Government), Susan Owen Jones (GwE Business Manager), Rhys Howard Hughes (GwE Assistant Director). 

 

4.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

Minutes:

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

 

5.

WELSH PROFESSIONAL TEACHING AWARDS

Minutes:

The Managing Director reported that the Professional Teaching Awards ceremony was held in Cardiff on 13 May 2018.  Awards celebrate the commitment and hard work of teachers across Wales.  It was noted that many teachers/staff from authorities in the north were nominated, which is testament to strong educational standards in north Wales.

 

Three who won their individual categories were presented to the Joint Committee:

§  Outstanding New Teacher - Helen Jones, Flint High School. 

§  Teacher of the Year - Lorraine Dalton, Esgob Morgan Primary School, St.Asaph

§  Promoting Collaboration to Improve Learning Opportunities - Ruth Thackray, GwE.

The winners had the opportunity to talk about their work and expressed gratitude for their nomination.

Gwenan Ellis Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd also won the award forInspirational use of the  Welsh Language’.

In response, the joint committee congratulated the winners and those nominated for an award, and their hard work was commended.

 

6.

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. 

 

7.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 81 KB

(copy enclosed)

Minutes:

The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2018 as correct.

 

8.

NEW ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK

A presentation by Alwyn Jones.

Minutes:

GwE Assistant Director gave a presentation on the new accountability framework, which is part of Welsh Government's reform journey. It was noted that the Accountability Framework is a small part of the journey, and that supporting schools to meet the reform journey agenda will be an immense challenge. 

 

During the ensuing discussion, there was response to a series of questions/comments by joint committee members, in relation to:

 

§  It is important that all members (especially scrutiny members) have an understanding of the scale of the work ahead in light of changes in education.

§  It was suggested that GwE gives a presentation to cabinet members and the scrutiny members of all six authorities. 

§  Concern that the process of managing data reports is not clear - there needs to be a better regional understanding.

§  What are the next steps and how can these be communicated?

 

 

 

 

 

IT WAS DECIDED

§  GwE to give a presentation on the new Accountability Framework to the six local authorities.

§  GwE Managing Director to send a letter to Welsh Government of behalf of the Joint Committee seeking clarity on 'accountability' so as to ensure consistency.  

 

9.

GwE ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Managing Director presented a report on the performance of the Service in terms of delivering the Service Functions and Key Aims. Members were led through the report, noting that it was a summary of the annual report to convey the high level messages.  

 

IT WAS DECIDED To note and accept the report.

 

10.

BUSINESS PLAN 2017-2020 - LEVEL 1 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Managing Director presented the Level 1 Business Plan.   The Joint Committee were asked for its view on the most effective type of narrative for reporting on performance - is there a need to focus on what needs to be improved, or focus on achievements?

 

In response, the Joint Committee welcomed the current format, noting there needs to be a balance between achievements and what needs to be improved so as to understand the full picture.   

 

IT WAS DECIDED To note and accept the report.

 

11.

WELSH IN EDUCATION pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Minutes:

GwE Assistant Director presented a report. It was proposed to review the regional structure so as to work more strategically to support Welsh in education, and to establish a Welsh language Strategic Board to lead the work.  The Joint Committee was asked to approve the proposals outlined in the report. 

 

During the ensuing discussion, there was response to a series of questions/comments by joint committee members, in relation to:

 

§  The idea of working more strategically was welcomed.

§  Who will be the members of the Welsh language Strategic Board? It is important that membership represents the variety of Welsh speakers across the region.

§  The importance of giving learners a strong voice in developments. 

IT WAS DECIDED To accept the recommendations. 

 

12.

GwE FINAL ACCOUNTS 2017-18 pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Host Authority Finance Unit Manager presented a concise report.  Members were led through the report - there were no further comments by joint committee members. 

 

IT WAS DECIDED To accept the report.