Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: g)
Contact: Annes Siôn 01286 679490
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES |
|
DECORATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST Minutes: No declarations
of personal interest were received. |
|
URGENT MATTERS |
|
MATTERS ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY |
|
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 MARCH 2020 PDF 93 KB Minutes: The Chair signed
the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2020, as a true record. |
|
APPLICATION FOR RESOURCES BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PDF 101 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng. / Cllr Cemlyn Williams Decision: Resolved to commit £180,000 of one-off funding from
the Council's transformation fund up to the end of March 2022 to enable the
Education Department to have additional capacity on secondment terms for a
period of two years to target, support and offer an appropriate and timely
challenge for secondary schools realising one of the commitments in the Council
Plan so as to improve outcomes for children and young people. Minutes: Submitted by Cllr
Cemlyn Williams DECISION Resolved
to commit £180,000 of one-off
funding from the Council's transformation fund up to the end of March 2022 to enable the Education Department to have additional capacity on secondment
terms for a period of two years
to target, support and offer an appropriate
and timely challenge for secondary
schools realising one of the commitments in the Council Plan so as to improve outcomes for children
and young people. DISCUSSION The report was presented, noting that this
was a bid for funding for a secondment post for a period of two years. It was added that there
were two parts to the post, the first to give support to the county's secondary schools to respond to the problems arising within the secondary sector and secondly to release resources for the Education Modernisation - Twenty First Century Schools service. The Head of Education Department noted that the department had acknowledged that there were some
situations in the Secondary sector that required additional support and assistance
in order to improve schools' outcomes. It was noted that this scheme
was linked with one of the Council's strategic priorities, namely to develop leadership. It was added that challenges existed in the Secondary sector, specifically in Meirionnydd, with low numbers applying
for leadership jobs within schools. As a result of this, it was added, discussions were being held
with all head teachers to review recruitment processes. It was noted that there
was a lack of resources in the Education Modernisation field at present, and the funding would ensure
this resource. Additionally, it
was noted that the resource was available to assist with new
challenges of ensuring that children, and specifically vulnerable children, remained in education
during this crisis period. Observations
arising from the discussion ¾ A question
was asked about the situation in relation
to the Transformation Fund,
and it was noted that it was healthy and was available currently but that
it depended on what the need would
be following the Covid-19 crisis Awdur: Garem Jackson |
|
UPDATE ON THE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Verbal
report Decision: To
note the information and thank staff for their work during the crisis period. Minutes: The report was submitted by Dilwyn
Williams DECISION To note the information
and thank staff for their work
during the crisis period. DISCUSSION The
Chief Executive noted that he
would provide an update which
would outline what the Council was doing to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. It was noted that elected members
would be receiving an update before
the end of the week. A snapshot of the staffing situation was given, noting that 137 were in the Government's
shielding category, 175
staff were ill with 46 of those as a result of covid-19 symptoms. It was added that over 1800 staff were now working
from home and that only
132 members of staff were now working in
an office. It was noted that, currently,
the care field was coping fairly well but that cases
had arisen in three older people's
homes, but that the situations were now under
control. It was reported that statistics
showed Gwynedd as being fairly successful and that the cases
were at the bottom end of the range highlighted in the potential scenarios. It was added that, once
the restrictions would be relaxed, we would need to plan for the next period. It was noted that there
was much talk about PPE but it was stressed that the level of PPE in Gwynedd was fine but that
the level of masks was a cause for concern.
It was stated that supplies were coming
from the Government and it was also noted that work
was being undertaken to investigate the level of additional costs facing the private sector. It was stressed that the volunteer system was working
well, with an army of people in Gwynedd ready and willing to assist. It was explained that education continued to look after the children of key workers and
vulnerable children. It was
emphasised that the bins service had continued throughout the period but that
the Recycling Centres would
remain closed for now. Observations arising
from the discussion ¾ The Chief Executive and the Chief Officers were thanked for
leading the work throughout this period. It was added that the Cabinet members had been meeting informally
regularly. ¾ The Cabinet Member
for Finance expressed his gratitude to the department's
staff for their work during this
period, specifically the Information Technology staff for ensuring that
all staff could work from home. It was also stressed that
no council tax would be recovered
until the end of June and it was outlined that work
was being done in order to measure
the financial effect of this period on
the Council. ¾ It was stressed that this was a crisis period and that it struck everyone compared to the crises the county had faced in the past, where specific communities had been struck. In relation to the Adults field, it was explained that staff were working hard ... view the full minutes text for item 7. Awdur: Dilwyn Williams |