Agenda item

(a)  Additional Support to Tywyn School

 

To receive a verbal report on the above by the Senior Manager – Education Resources Service.

 

(b)  Brief Information on the Schools’ Network Service

 

To receive a verbal report on the above by the Senior Manager – Information Technology and Business Transformation

 

(c)   Update on On-line Payments

 

To receive a verbal report on the above by the Senior Manager – Education Resources Service.

 

(d)   Update on the Breakfast Club Consultation

 

To receive a verbal report on the above by the Senior Manager – Education Resources Service.

(a)  Item 5 - Ysgol Tywyn's Budget and Financial Deficit    

 

The Senior Manager Education Resources Service reported that following a request from the Chair of Tywyn Secondary School's Board of Governors for assistance with the historical deficit, that discussions were on-going regarding the way forward.   It was added, that thus far the matter had not been discussed with the Council's Leadership Team.

 

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(b)  Item 8 (b) - Schools' Network Service

 

A presentation was received in the form of slides by the Senior IT and Business Transformation Manager, giving the history of the internet from its inception in 1969 and by today its use had increased and devices had moved forward considerably.  Under the Learning in Digital Wales grant programme, a broadband connection at a speed of 10Mbps was provided to primary schools and 100Mbps to secondary schools.    

 

The evolution of the network to schools was explained, as well as the improvements the PSBA network for the public sector in Wales had made and the increasing future benefits.    

 

Regarding who is responsible for what, the following was explained:

 

·         That CYNNAL provide support for the equipment that links to the network and the administration of the filter.

·         The Council is responsible for providing network support, managing BT contracts, wireless, security, filtering and developing new services (such as phones)

·         BT were responsible for the PSBA network infrastructure

 

 

In terms of cost allocations of £540,000, this was based on the following four elements:

 

·         Direct contact

·         Network

·         Maintenance to include software

·         Central staff support - responding to problems and developing the network

 

During the ensuing discussion, the Senior IT and Business Transformation Manager responded to the enquiries as follows:   

 

(i)            that the Service Level Agreement was nearly in place, and by highlighting what was proposed it was trusted that schools would agree to a provision via the authority to access a dependable network, and it was possible to cooperate with the Welsh Government to facilitate the Successful Future programme.

(ii)           in terms of the equipment's age, it would be necessary to add to it after approximately 10 years (the equipment was already four years old) 

(iii)          in the context of funding any addition to the equipment in approximately 2021-2023, it would be necessary for schools to plan before hand for the costs.

 

In response to (ii) and (iii) above, the Cabinet Member for Education stressed the need to put a plan together soon and also the need to warn schools beforehand of the likelihood of costs as technology was changing fast.  

 

Resolved:       To accept, note and thank the officer for the presentation.

 

(c)  Item 9 - On-line Payments

 

The Senior Manager Education Resources Services reported that an on-line service had now been introduced in primary schools and the majority of school staff had received training. The service was welcomed and only a very few comments had been received such as that parents could not see balances / credit.  It had been decided to use the 'SIMS Dinner Money' system with the authority funding the module.  There were implications of re-training Dinner Money Clerks, however, the module would be advantageous as it would reduce the work of accounting and balancing.   It was noted that discussions were on-going with CYNNAL for training and it would be incorporated with the training organised to collect breakfast club money (see below).

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.

 

(ch) Item 10 - Breakfast Club Consultation

 

The Senior Manager Education Resources Services reported that the Cabinet at its meeting on 3 October 2017, had decided to charge a fee of 80p for the childcare element prior to the breakfast club.  It would be necessary to draft a specific letter for each school to outline the arrangements, times, payment method etc, with a letter to emphasise that there was a statutory duty to offer free breakfast and that the fee would be charged for the childcare time.    

 

It was added that it would be necessary to offer training to school staff (Finance Clerks) to collect money and that this would be held at the same time as the SIMS Dinner Money training.  The above elements would be discussed with ancillary staff Unions.   In addition, the system would offer a permanent contract to the Breakfast Club Supervisors with the right to sickness pay.   

 

In response to a query by a Headteacher regarding administrating the system and the need to ensure that the details were clear in a business plan, it was explained that the money would be collected on-line and it was acknowledged that there would be a change in procedure and schools were encouraged to contact the Education Department if they anticipated that there was any matter of concern to be resolved.  

 

Resolved:       To accept and note the above.