Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Virtual Meeting
Contact: Annes Sion 01286 679490
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Coun. Huw Hilditch-Roberts and
Claire Homard. |
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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 MATTERS 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 - 26 FEBRUARY 2020 PDF 100 KB (copy enclosed) Minutes: It was confirmed that the record presented appropriately
reflected the meeting on 26 February 2020. |
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GwE ACCOUNTS 2019/2020 - REVENUE OUT-TURN PDF 94 KB GwE
Managing Director and Gwynedd Council Head of Finance to update the Joint
Committee of the final financial review of the GwE Budget for the 2019/20 financial
year. Additional documents: Decision: The Income Account and Revenue Expenditure for
2019/20 was noted and accepted as noted in Appendix 1, along with a commentary
on the main differences between the budget and true expenditure presented for information,
in accordance with 'usual' arrangements in the form of an outturn report. Minutes: DECISION The Income
Account and Revenue Expenditure for 2019/20 was noted and accepted as noted in
Appendix 1, along with a commentary on the main differences between the budget
and true expenditure presented for information, in accordance with the 'usual'
arrangement in the form of an out-turn report. DISCUSSION The report was
presented and the decision noted. The main differences were highlighted between
the report in February and that presented to the meeting. It was noted that
there was a change of (£217,253) to what was reported in quarter 3, namely an
estimated overspend of £27,635. The main reasons for this were outlined namely
that grant funded staff secondments and time contributions of core staff to new
initiatives and projects had led to an underspend. Because of Covid-19, it was
stated that a large number of meetings had not taken place in March, resulting
in less income. It was noted that the
impact of this change is that the net underspend increases the reserves to
£480,204 at the end of 2019/20 It was added that a report will be made at a
subsequent meeting to consider possible use of the reserves following the
current crisis. GwE's Managing
Director thanked the finance team for their work. |
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WELSH GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO COVID-19 : CUTS TO REGIONAL GRANTS PDF 91 KB GwE
Managing Director to update the Joint Committee on the situation regarding
regional grants for the 2020/21 financial year. Decision: The report was accepted. Minutes:
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GwE
Assistant Director to consider the consequences of the decision to close
schools and to cancel the summer 2020 exam series. Additional documents:
Decision: The
report was accepted and it was agreed to arrange a meeting with WJEC to further
discuss the matter. Minutes: DECISION The report was accepted and it was agreed
to organise a meeting with WJEC to further discuss the matter. DISCUSSION The report was
presented and the proposed process was outlined. It was noted that the Joint Committee
needed to consider the implications of the Minister's decision to close schools
and the subsequent decision not to go ahead with the 2020 examination series
for awarding grades for GCSE, A Level, Skills Challenge Certificate and other
vocational qualifications; and to consider implications for 2021 summer
examinations. It was expressed that
the process outlined was unfair for pupils, particularly if the school is on an
improvement journey. It was noted that consultation will take place however will
not be released until mid-June. It was added that
schools want to know whether there is a change in the syllabus in order to
start preparations for next year. Comments arising from
the discussion ¾ It was emphasised that the statistics model was utterly unfair on pupils,
as well as schools. It was added that there were concerns for next year too as
this year's situation will have an impact on pupils and will therefore affect
their results next year. ¾ It was noted that this period had been very difficult for pupils and it had
become evident that pupils need fairness and support. ¾ Concern was expressed about year 10 and 12 in particular. ¾ The need to organise a meeting with WJEC to discuss the matter further was
noted. ¾ In terms of
examination costs, it was asked whether schools could obtain a portion of the
money back. It was noted that this needs to be discussed at the meeting with
WJEC. |
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TRANSITION BACK INTO SCHOOLS PDF 87 KB GwE
Managing Director to present a report which considers the transition of
learners back to school when instructed by Welsh Government. Additional documents:
Decision: It was decided to approve a regional approach,
whereby GwE, local authorities and schools work in partnership regarding the
next step in adapting education in Wales.
Minutes: DECISION It was decided to approve a regional approach, whereby GwE, local
authorities and schools work in partnership for the next step in adapting
education in Wales. DISCUSSION The report was
presented, and it was noted that the intention is to seek approval for the Local
Authorities, GwE and schools to work together to create a framework of risk assessments and
policies/draft guidance, focusing on various areas which schools need to
consider and develop, once schools are instructed by the Government to reopen
to more pupils. It was noted that the
British Prime Minister had noted that many English schools were reopening early
June however that Wales had not set a date yet.
It was emphasised that GwE's Management Board had discussed the matter and
had noted the need for schools, GwE and the local authorities to be
collaborating and supporting one another in moving forwards. Remote learning, it was stressed, will continue
for a long time therefore forward planning is needed for this difficult period.
The framework would look at issues such as human resources, remote learning
etc. Although the framework is at a regional level, it was added that it would
be adapted locally. The information would be kept in one place; however,
schools could add and edit documents due to the ever-changing nature of the
situation. Comments arising from the discussion ¾ It was emphasised
that communication is crucial, and with the next period bound to pose enormous
challenges, it is vital that everybody works together. ¾ It was noted that this would be a partnership. The need to work together
and achieve one voice and consistency across the region was noted. |