Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Meirion Jones (Isle of Anglesey County Council), Rita Price (Wrexham Diocese), Mair Herbert (Secondary Schools Representative), Alison Fisher (Governors Representative), Ian Roberts (Wrexham County Borough Council), Steve Vincent (Welsh Government), Gareth Williams (Chair of the Advisory Board), and Alwyn Jones (GwE Assistant Director).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

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

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

No urgent matters were noted.

(copy enclosed)

The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2017 as a true and accurate record.

Verbal presentaiton

A presentation was given to the Joint committee of the G6 system, which is a system that enables schools to enter into a dialogue with their Schools Improvement Advisor on their progress by inputting information into a regional dashboard. Access will also be available to local authorities. The G6 system is intended to transform the relationship between GwE and schools and to encourage co-operation between schools. It was noted that the system had already been piloted in schools in Denbighshire and the response has been very positive.

During the subsequent discussion, a series of questions/comments were responded to by members of the Joint Committee in relation to:

·         A possibility to set a different entry level to the system for different users.

·         Measure the validity of schools ' judgement when inputting information.

·         Challenge of dealing with schools that are in red/amber category but do not want to be published.

·         The emphasis that the system is a tool to improve performance and not a tool to evaluate schools.

·         Do the other 3 consortia have a similar system/is it possible to expand the system to be a national one?

GwE’s Managing Director presented the quarter 3 monitoring report for the Level 1 Business Plan. The need to look at the impact of the actions was highlighted and the need to ensure that everyone is clear about the rationale behind the priorities.

During the subsequent discussion, a series of questions/comments were responded to by members of the Joint Committee in relation to:

·         It was questioned is it appropriate to identify the leadership element as ‘green'-implementation is 'green' but the outcomes are not.

·         A meeting needs to be arranged before Cabinet members meet with the WLGA in March

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Accept the report.

A report was presented by the Host Authority's Head of Finance. It was noted that there is no significant change in the Quarter 3 review.

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Accept the report.

A report was presented by the Host Authority's Head of Finance and it was noted that the Joint Committee needed to adopt the budget for the coming year.

During the subsequent discussion, a series of questions/comments were responded to by members of the Joint Committee in relation to:

·         Importance of risk management.

·         Suggestion to prioritise any surplus fiscal resource to the schools that are in the 'Red' category.

·         The importance of ensuring value for money in giving more money to schools that are in the 'Red' category – providing more money does not mean that the school will improve.

IT WAS DECIDED TO:  Adopt the budget. 

A report was presented by the Host Authority's Head of Finance. It was noted that there is no significant change in the figures and that the action plan does not require much change. 

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Approve the report.

GwE’s Business Manager presented the risk register and noted the need for the Joint Committee to review and accept the contents of the register.

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Accept the risk register.

The Advisory Board's report was presented noting the discussions that had taken place at their last meeting. The Joint Committee was asked to note the contents of the report.

Congratulations were extended to Aled Roberts on his appointment in a lead role with the Welsh Government and it was also noted that Carl Hughes had been appointed as a new member of the Advisory Board.

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Note the contents of the report.

A request for meeting dates for the year was submitted to the Joint Committee.

IT WAS DECIDED TO: Accept the request.