Venue: GwE Offices, Bryn Eirias, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8BF
Contact: Annes Sion 01286 679490
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were
received from Coun. Garffild Lewis (Conwy County Borough Council), Coun. Huw
Hilditch-Roberts (Denbighshire County Council), Alison Fisher (Governors’
Representative), Arwyn Williams (Isle of Anglesey County Council), Claire
Homard (Flintshire County Council), Iwan Evans (Host Authority Monitoring
Officer – Gwynedd Council) and Steve Vincent (Welsh Government). |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Minutes: No declarations of personal interest were received from
any members present. |
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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 |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - 28 NOVEMBER 2018 PDF 92 KB (copy enclosed) Minutes: The Chairman
signed the minutes of this committee held on 28 November
2018 as a correct record. |
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GwE BUDGET 2018/19 - QUARTER 3 REVIEW PDF 156 KB Report by Dafydd L Edwards Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report was presented noting that GwE was keeping within the core budget for
2018-19, and that the estimate
noted a net underspend of
£994. Comments arising from the discussion: -
A
discussion was held on the frequency of Estyn
inspections, specifically in some primary schools. -
It was
stated that much of the funding that comes to GwE was delegated directly to
schools. -
Attention
was drawn to an increase in travelling costs, and it was stated that this was
because so many meetings were held in Cardiff. It was noted that the matter
needed to be raised with the Government, and possibly to suggest that meetings
are arranged in other locations as well.
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Report by Dafydd L Edwards Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To adopt
the base budget for 2019/20
as presented in Appendix 2 of the report. DISCUSSION The report
was submitted noting that the GwE budget was continuing to develop. It was noted that the financial effect of inflation/price increases had been estimated and included in the base budget, including salary increases and an increase in
CPI. It was added
that the budget reflected the decision of the
North Wales Leadership Board
to include a savings target corresponding to a reduction of 1% in financial terms, in the core contributions
of the 6 authorities; it was stated
that in real terms there was an increase of 3.19% in costs. It was added
that, with the increase in costs,
the need for a permanent plan for 2018/19 savings and annual expenditure in Supplies and
Services that it will be necessary to find a cumulative total of £206,485 for 2019/20. Comments
arising from the discussion -
It was
inquired whether the increase in the salaries and pensions of teachers on
secondments at GwE had been included in the budget. It was noted, in terms of the
teachers who are on GwE employment lists, these have been included. -
It was
noted that grants had reduced during recent years, and that intensive
discussions had been held and are ongoing regarding education budgets. -
Dr Gwynne
Jones and Dafydd Edwards were thanked for their support. |
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MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN PDF 68 KB Report by Dafydd L Edwards Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report was submitted
noting that there have been
minimal changes to the Plan. It was added that it was difficult to foresee what would happen
in the future as much depended on
the Government's decisions,
which also created a great deal of uncertainty. The importance of looking at savings in readiness for
the future was emphasised. Comments arising from the discussion -
It was
noted that it was difficult to submit a three-year medium term financial plan
due to the budget being so uncertain, but the importance of the plan was
emphasised. -
It was
stated that discussions were needed with Welsh Government Ministers to discuss
whether enough funding was available for schools. It was added that more
clarity was needed regarding the role of GwE when changes to the curriculum
take place; it was noted that there was a need to raise this with the Welsh
Local Government Association. |
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2018-20 BUSINESS PLAN - QUARTER 3 MONITORING PDF 67 KB Report by Arwyn Thomas Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report was submitted noting that the main priority was Key Stage 4, as concerns had arisen regarding the English examinations. Attention was drawn to section 3
of the Plan – Leadership – specifically
improving departmental leadership in core
subjects in secondary schools. It was added that good work
was being done in partnership with the schools. Attention was also drawn to section 4 of the Plan – Well-being
– the need to continue to look at plans to support looked after children and children receiving free school meals
was noted. |
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LEVEL 1 BUSINESS PLAN - 2019-20 PRIORITIES PDF 90 KB Report by Arwyn Thomas Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report
was submitted noting that the main improvement priorities had been identified. The priorities were noted, which
included improving performance in the secondary sector, transformational
curriculum, well-being, leadership development programmes and the peer engagement model. It
was agreed to present a copy of the Business Plan in the next meeting. |
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2018-19 RISK REGISTER - QUARTER 3 REVIEW PDF 109 KB Report by Arwyn Thomas Additional documents: Minutes: The report was submitted noting that the GwE risk register was a live document that
was regularly reviewed. It
was stated that all the risks had been reviewed and updated and that 9 risks had been amended, namely
risks 2,5,6,8,12,13,14,15 and 17. |
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WELSH IN EDUCATION - TERMS OF REFERENCE PDF 107 KB Report by Alwyn Jones Minutes: It was decided to defer discussion of this item to the next meeting. |
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NATIONAL CATEGORISATION PDF 89 KB Report by Alwyn Jones Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report was submitted noting that categorisation
was a continuous process.
It was stated that the Minister for education
had noted the possibility that the process could be adapted. It was noted that every
secondary school has a support plan with discussions held regarding the level of support for schools. It was noted that the report was one regarding the process only. It was noted that 35 schools had been selected from
the six authorities for Regional Moderation,
and robust discussions had been held during
moderation. It was noted that no changes
had been made to the schools during the process and no enquiries had been received from the Welsh Government following submission of the sample to them. |
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CALENDER OF MEETINGS 2019/20 PDF 79 KB Report by Arwyn Thomas Minutes: It was decided to accept the dates for the coming
year. |
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OUR NATIONAL MISSION: A TRANSFORMATIONAL CURRICULUM - PROPOSALS FOR A NEW LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK Presentation by Ruth Thackray |
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ALN - CONSULTATION ON DRAFT ALN CODE |