Agenda and decisions

To elect a Chair for 2020/21.

Councillor Phil Wyn, Wrexham County Borough Council, was elected Chair for 2020/21

To elect a Vice-Chair for 2020/21.

Councillor Meirion Jones, Isle of Anglesey County Council, was elected Vice Chair for 2020/21. 

To receive any apologies for absence.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

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

(copy enclosed)

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to present & request the approval of the Joint Committee with regard to internal audit arrangements.

Arrangements were approved as noted in point 4.1 of the report, adding as an exception, where appropriate, that some individual audit reports will need to be presented to the Joint Committee as and when the need arises, rather than waiting for the annual report. 

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to share relevant audit reports conducted by the region’s local authorities on the Pupil Development Grant & the Regional Consortia School Improvement Grant.

The reports were accepted, noting that appropriate and sufficient management and processes are in place. Therefore, there will be no need to present similar items to the Joint Committee in the future, except for mentioning them in the host authority Audit Manager’s annual report to the Joint Committee.

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to present the latest GwE Risk Register to the Joint Committee.

The Joint Committee reviewed the contents of the register and accepted the information. 

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director and Dafydd L Edwards, Gwynedd Council Head of Finance  to update Joint Committee members on the latest financial review of GwE’s budget for the 2020/21 financial year.

The report was accepted. 

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to present the self-assessment tool to members of the Joint Committee which will assist Local Authorities in assessing their readiness for implementing the reforms as outlined in the Draft Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code for Wales.

The self-assessment tool and the Additional Learning Needs Professional Offer were both approved, which will support Local Authorities and schools to implement the reforms as set out in the Draft Learning Needs Code for Wales.

A further report was requested for the next meeting, noting how the self-assessment tool will work and any financial implications arising as a result of the draft Learning Needs Code. 

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to hold a discussion in the Joint Committee on the Independent Review of awarding Qualifications in Wales in 2020 following the Minister for Education’s announcement on 10 November 2020.    

It was agreed that the region's main priority during the next phase is to give secondary schools the appropriate support to help KS4 and KS5 learners to receive fair accreditation. In order to implement this it was agreed to use reserves, which are as a result of the underspend.

It was decided to write to the Minister for Education, firstly to thank her for her announcement of 10 November on the arrangements for awarding qualifications in 2021, and to note concerns arising from the meeting.

It was decided to write to Geraint Rees, Chair of the Design and Delivery Group, outlining the concerns noted.

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to share information with Joint Committee members regarding our strategy and the support available to schools to ensure continuity of learning.  

The report was noted and accepted, and to support the regional approach and model so as to ensure continuity of learning in north Wales. 

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to share information with the Joint Committee members in relation to the regional approach in supporting the well-being of our children and our workforce.

The report was noted and accepted, and to support the regional approach to supporting children's wellbeing and the wellbeing of the region's workforce.

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to update Joint Committee members in relation to the Estyn Thematic Review

The report was noted and accepted, and it was agreed to hold further discussions following publication of the report.  

Arwyn Thomas, GwE Managing Director, to update Joint Committee members on the current situation in relation to schools in Estyn Statutory Category and Estyn Review Category. 

The report was noted and accepted, and the next steps were agreed. It was decided to write to Estyn to request prompt guidance and clarity as regards the situation.