Venue: GwE Offices, Bryn Eirias, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8BF
Contact: Annes Sion 01286 679490
No. | Item |
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ELECT CHAIR To elect a
Chairman for 2019/20 Minutes: Coun. Phill
Wynn (Wrexham Borough County Council) was elected as Chairperson for
2019/20. |
|
ELECT VICE-CHAIR To elect a
Vice-chairman for 2019/20 Minutes: Coun. Garffild
Lewis (Conwy Borough County Council) was elected as Vice-Chairperson for
2019/20. |
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Everyone was welcomed to the meeting,
especially Coun. Cemlyn Williams to his first meeting of the GwE Joint
Committee, and Delyth Gray attending as commentator from Estyn. The Chair
congratulated Coun. Ian Roberts on becoming Leader of Flintshire Council. Condolences were passed on to Arwyn Thomas,
following a recent bereavement. Apologies were received from Haf Williams
(Primary Schools' Representative), Claire Homard (Flintshire Council), Ian
Roberts (Wrexham County Borough Council), and Arwyn Thomas (GwE Managing
Director). |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Minutes: No declaration of personal interest was
received by any member 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 PDF 74 KB (see
attached) Minutes: The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting
held on 20 February, 2019 as correct. |
|
GwE ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 PDF 67 KB Arwyn Thomas,
GwE Managing Director to present the GwE Annual Report for 2018-19. Additional documents:
Minutes: DECISION To accept the Report. DISCUSSION The report was presented, noting that the
majority of the information had been derived from GwE's Performance Management
procedure. It was added that the report aims to strike a balance between GwE's
performance over the year, and future steps. It was added that the priorities
seen in the report are in GwE's Business Plan for 2019-20. The issue of English results during GCSE
examinations was raised. It was noted that discussions will recommence soon
between the Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales, Philip Blaker and Heads of
Denbighshire Secondary Schools, following a period of no engagement. Councillors were urged to discuss with other
Secondary Heads in the region, and to contact Qualifications Wales in order to
reopen the discussion. It was added that the Head of Education at Denbighshire
County Council will report back after the meeting. The Shirley Clarke project is ongoing and
successful, and the 27 schools involved in tier 1 have been sharing their
skills with tier 2 schools. It was added that the reform journey is ongoing and
is embedded in all aspects of GwE's work. It was added that the reform journey
has a key role in supporting the Welsh language. It was noted that the
strategic priorities align with Welsh Government priorities. Comments arising from discussion: -
Staff
were thanked for the report, and it was noted that there is a very challenging
time ahead for GwE. |
|
LEVEL 1 BUSINESS PLAN 2019/20 PDF 83 KB Arwyn
Thomas, GwE Managing Director to present the 2019/20 Level 1 Business Plan to
the Joint Committee for approval Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the report. DISCUSSION The Business Plan was presented noting that it reflects both regional
and national priorities. It was noted
that the Plan aligns with the Government's expectations. The priorities of the Business Plan were highlighted which include
developing and improving provision with the main focus on high-quality middle
leadership. It was stated that
additional learning needs is a priority as well as the transformational
curriculum. Comments arising from the discussion ¾
It
was said that the Local Authorities' financial situation poses the greatest
risk at present - given the cutbacks in Local Authority budgets over the past
few years, schools risk facing further cuts.
¾
In
light of the major changes with the curriculum transformation, a number of
teachers with years of experience are said to be leaving education. The need to
produce a specific risk register for this in terms of its impact on teachers,
parents and pupils, was expressed. ¾
This
need for GwE to address the savings so as to secure a long term solution was
noted. It was suggested that the budget
and workforce review needs to be carried out before October, ready for March. ¾
The
business plan was said to align with national objectives. |
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GwE ACCOUNTS 2018/19 PDF 95 KB Dafydd Edwards, Host Authority Head of Finance – Gwynedd Council
and Arwyn Thomas,
GwE Managing Director to update Joint Committee Members on the final financial review of GwE budget for the financial year 2018/19. Additional documents: Minutes: DECISION To accept the report. DISCUSSION The report was presented, noting that the
report notes the Revenue Income and Expenditure Account in 2018/19. Attention
was drawn to the financial variances. It was noted that there is underspend in
terms of the workforce mainly as the result of the Assistant Director
secondment. It was added that there is an overspend against Buildings as a
result of GwE not meeting its income target, and Supplies and Services due to
rising translation costs following GwE not being able to appoint a translator. It was noted that GwE's financial situation
on 31/03/19 was very neat, however that permanent savings need to be found by
October 2019. |