Issue - meetings

To present the Committee's draft work programme for 2025/26 for adoption.

DECISION

1.     To adopt the work programme for 2025/26.

2.     To consider prioritising the scrutiny of the implementation of the Language Charter when timely.

It was noted that all Council members, co-opted members, Cabinet Members, Heads of Department and the public had been given the opportunity to suggest potential items for scrutiny during 2025/26. At the Committee's informal meeting on 17 July 2025, the potential items for scrutiny during 2025/26 were considered.

It was clarified that information about the possible items was provided in advance to committee members. An attempt had been made to prioritise a maximum of three items per meeting to ensure that matters received due attention and that scrutiny could add value. It was noted that this had not been possible this year with four items programmed for each meeting. It was noted that the members considered that the prioritised items needed to be scrutinised during the year. The expectation for all members to ensure their attendance for the morning and afternoon session was underlined.

'Attendance and pupil behaviour in Gwynedd schools' and 'School Improvement Service' had been identified as items to be programmed in 2026/27. It was noted that the work of the Scrutiny Investigation into Safeguarding Arrangements in Schools was ongoing. It was explained that the final draft report of the investigation was intended to be submitted to the Committee meeting on 11 December 2025.

To ensure that the voice of pupils received due attention as part of the investigation, as emphasised by members of the investigation together with the Crime Response Plan Programme Board, it was noted that it was inevitable that the timetable for submitting a draft final report to the Committee would have to slip. As a result, the relevant departments had been contacted regarding the possibility of reprogramming an item from the February meeting to the December meeting. Confirmation had been received from the Education Department that the 'Education Strategy' item could be moved to the meeting on 11 December 2025.

Members were reminded that the implementation of the Language Charter had been a matter raised during the discussion under the 'Immersion Education System' item as a potential area for scrutiny.

RESOLVED

1. To adopt the work programme for 2025/26.

2. To consider prioritising scrutiny of the implementation of the Language Charter when timely.