Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Gwilym Iwan Huws and Gwilym Jones (NASUWT).

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

Item 5

•       Councillor Dawn Lynne Jones declared a personal interest as she was involved with Porthi Dre Youth Club.

The member was not of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest, and did not leave the meeting during the discussion.

Item 6

•       Councillor Gwynfor Owen declared a personal interest because he was a governor at Ysgol Hafod Lon.

•       Councillor Dawn Lynne Jones declared a personal interest because she had grandchildren who attended Ysgol Pendalar, and because of the nature of her job supporting young people with IDPs.

Members did not consider them to be prejudicial interests, and they did not leave the meeting during the discussion.

•       Bethan Adams (Scrutiny Advisor) declared a personal interest because she had a nephew who attended a mainstream school in Gwynedd and who received additional learning needs provision.

The officer was of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest and left the meeting during the discussion on the item.

Item 7

•       Gweno Glyn Williams (Dwyfor Parents/Governors Representative) declared a personal interest because she was closely related to the co-author of the draft policy.

•       Colette Owen (Catholic Church) declared a personal interest because she was an education advisor to the Diocese of Wrexham.

Members did not consider them to be prejudicial interests, and they did not leave the meeting during the discussion.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chair for

consideration.

None to note.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this

committee held on 13/02/25 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 13 February 2025, as a true record.

To provide guidance on the direction of the Youth Service in the future to discuss whether or not it still meets the needs of Gwynedd's young people and delivers its objectives following the restructure in 2018.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report and note the observations.

2.     To recommend to the Cabinet Member / Education Department:

-        Consistency in the provision needs to be ensured across the County.

-        To identify ways of engaging more broadly with young people and in particular specific groups of young people.

-        Consultation should take place with Town and Community Councils with a view to increasing the number of community clubs.

-        Work should continue with partners to ensure the best provision, for example the Urdd, Young Farmers.

3.     To ask the Youth Service Manager to share data on the number of individuals participating in the provision, and good practice in relation to community clubs, with committee members.

The Cabinet Member for Education presented the report, stating that the Youth Service had been on a significant journey over the last few years, with the provision being significantly remodelled in 2018. It was explained that the COVID crisis had had a significant impact on the needs of young people and a prominent influence on the service, like every other service. Pride was expressed that the service received appropriate attention from this Committee. The Youth Service's key role in the work of supporting Gwynedd's young people was emphasised.

Views were expressed that they did not take enough advantage of the work undertaken by the youth service, or on the effect and the positive impact that the youth service could have on the lives of young people. Reference was made to the Youth Work Wales Conference in Cardiff, where the Gwynedd Youth Service had a prominent presence, and there was an opportunity to share good practices. It was noted that awards evenings had been held by the service in Bangor to acknowledge the successes of young people across the county.

It was expressed that the young people of Gwynedd were excellent, despite the blame often put on them. It was emphasised that the challenges that some young people faced was not a reflection of failure, but it showed the need for support, and this was the priority for the Education Department.

Attention was drawn to the importance of hearing young people's voices, and it was explained that the Youth Service consulted with them often. It was noted that establishing the Gwynedd Youth Forum was a positive step, with a particular officer leading on the work of ensuring that young people's voices were part of the Council's wider work.

Reference was made to Appendix 2 in the 'Young People’s Questionnaire Findings 2025' report. It was noted that 25% of young people were unfamiliar with the service, highlighting the need to do more work to raise awareness. It was highlighted that the main reasons for taking part in the youth services included enjoying and spending time with friends. It was noted that only 17% had stated a lack of interest as a reason for not taking part, which highlighted a clear desire from young people to engage.

It was explained that 75% of the young people asked felt that the service had an important role in the community, and a similar proportion saw the role of the service in schools. It was noted that it was not clear whether the service should only be for the community or also part of the school provision, but the data showed a desire to have it at both places.

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

It was enquired how it could be ensured that the Youth Service was visible in the community as well as at school, asking how they could reach out more effectively to young people in the community to ensure that everyone's voice was heard. Concern was expressed that only a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To scrutinise the Additional Learning Needs education

provision and to secure the input and understanding of the

Scrutiny Committee of the progress made to ensure that

Gwynedd is ready for the new ALN and Inclusion Act.

DECISION

1.    To accept the report and note the observations.

2.    Ask the Cabinet Member for Education

·       To consider examining whether the membership of the guidance group for admissions to special schools should be amended.

·       To look at ways to identify, improve provision and facilitate arrangements for the specific cohort of children who are in the mainstream, who have profound needs but  do not meet the threshold for receiving support

·       To look at ways to continue to protect the budget for special schools and monitor that money is being spent appropriately and in line with the guidelines.

·       to encourage practitioners to take advantage of training, and to ascertain whether it is possible to ensure funding received for training is spent solely on training

·       To investigate the possibility of providing satellite provision in some schools.

·       To correspond with Welsh Government to express concern about the lack of funding and resources available for additional learning needs and the challenges facing schools

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Education, noting that he had written it following a request from the Education and Economy Committee to receive an update on matters relating to Additional Learning Needs (ALN) in mainstream schools and special schools. It was explained that the report outlined the difficulties facing schools in Gwynedd as a result of a change in the demand for service, the current financial climate and the impacts of cuts.

It was emphasised that the situation was difficult, but there were opportunities for the department to improve, and a clear desire to do the best for the children and young people in the county. It was emphasised that this field caused concern to some members and was a complicated field which deserved attention.

Attention was drawn to the impact of years of austerity and financial savings on the Council's ability to provide effective services, emphasising that that impact reached every corner of the community. The willingness to listen, discuss and consider what could be done differently in the future to support children, young people and their families better was expressed.

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

It was asked who was responsible for determining a criteria for access to special schools. In response, it was explained that it was the authority's responsibility for ensuring a child's placement in a special school, noting that descriptions of the needs expected in special schools has been defined, and that applications were being assessed against those. It was emphasised that the authority always had the final decision.

It was asked further what guidelines and criteria were used when determining these expectations. In response, it was explained that the criteria were associated with the curriculum and the provision that the child required. It was noted that the ALN Act emphasised the need to consider mainstream education first, before turning to provision in a special school if the child's needs were not being met in the mainstream. In response to a question regarding reviewing the criteria, it was noted:

·       That reviews had been held in 2017 and then in 2020.

·       Work was continuing on a document which summarised the criteria in a simpler way, with an intention to share it with the special schools soon.

·       Needs' categories in the form of 'bands' had been established, from band one (the most intensive needs) to band four, and the assessments were conducted in accordance with these bands.

·       The evidence now focused on explaining the criteria to parents and schools and defining the evidence used to assess the bands.

It was asked who was responsible for creating the criteria. In response, it was noted that the panel included the authority's ALN services, educational psychologists, specialist teachers from various teams and the Headteachers of the special schools. It was confirmed that no external agency was currently part of the process, but there were discussions with the regional board, and it was hoped that the Headteachers of mainstream schools were part of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To present a draft of the amended policy.

DECISION

1.    To note the draft policy and note the observations.

2.    To welcome the fact that the draft policy was proceeding to consultation.

3.    That the Committee makes a request to the Scrutiny Forum to prioritise resources for the formation of a task and finish group, with the brief to examine the wording of the Draft Education Language Policy to consider whether suggestions need to be made to the Cabinet Member / Education Department, and report back to the committee at the 19 June 2025 meeting.

4.    Should the application to the Scrutiny Forum be successful, the Scrutiny Adviser to send an email to Committee members giving them the opportunity to put their names forward to be members of the Task and Finish Group.

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Education, emphasising that this document was a draft policy and this stated the start of its development journey. It was noted that the current policy had been in place since 1984, and the reason that it had survived for such a long period of time was because of the evidence of its success. It was explained that the new document represented the evolution of the current policy, building on the successes of the past to create a policy that was suitable for Gwynedd's needs today. It was noted that it was now time to review the policy and offer changes, with the intention of further strengthening the Welsh language.

Views were expressed that the new model would strengthen the Welsh language and make it more prominent within our schools. It was noted that that also placed a challenge for the schools but the education department was ready to support the schools to fulfil this ambition. It was explained that there was no intention to depreciate the importance of English, but to ensure that the pupils had robust skills in both languages instead, and that they left school completely bilingual. Attention was drawn to the fact that this was what was needed for the future: individuals who could live and work through the medium of Welsh and English.

During the discussion, the following observations were made:- 

The view that the draft language policy was the most important document for the future of the Welsh language in Gwynedd was expressed, describing the impact that this policy could have as an unprecedented one for the children of the county and the wider community. The policy was praised for its clarity and for being concise, stating that the previous version was too long and open for misinterpretation. However, concerns were expressed about a number of elements:

1.    The lack of measurable ambition in the policy, without specific targets for percentage increase in the Welsh language provision over time.

2.    Excessive dependency on the Welsh Government Category 3, noting that most Gwynedd schools had already provided over 70% of its education provision through the medium of Welsh, and therefore they should aim higher.

3.    Lack of clarity in the wording of the policy, with terms such as "Every pupil is taught and assessed through the medium of Welsh until the end of Year 2" and "Welsh will be the pupils' main educational medium" being too open for interpretation. Stronger wording was suggested, such as "Welsh will be the pupils' medium of education, assessment and extra-curricular activities until the end of Year 2" and "Welsh will be the pupils' educational medium".

It was emphasised that there was a need to explain how English was taught cross-curricular and who decided on that, expressing concern that this could undermine the consistent use of the Welsh language. It was expressed that the policy should explain specifically who was deciding on the content of that provision. It was also noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.