Education for Life Scrutiny Committee – 19.06.08

EDUCATION FOR LIFE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT PENALLTA HOUSE, TREDOMEN PARK ON THURSDAY, 19TH JUNE 2008 AT 5.00 P.M.

PRESENT:

Councillor Miss. L. Hughes - Chairman Councillor M.P. James - Vice-Chairman

Councillors:

R. Bidgood, H.W. David, W. David, M. Davies, R.T. Davies, J.O. Evans, D.M. Gray, D.T. Hardacre, Mrs. G. Oliver, Mrs. R. Potter, D.W.R. Preece, D. Rees, J.E. Roberts, G.D. Simmonds, K. Smallman, J Taylor. R. Woodyatt

Cabinet Member: Councillor P.J. Bevan

Together with:

S. Rosser (Chief Executive), B. Hopkins (Assistant Director, Planning and Strategy), P. Gomer (Assistant Director, Community Leisure), J. Lawrence (Assistant Director, Learning, Education and Inclusion), D. Perkins (Head of Legal Services), P. Mears (Chief Planning Officer), G. Williams (Principal Solicitor/Deputy Monitoring Officer), F. Santos (EYDCP Development Officer), J. Williams (Senior Officer, Forward Planning), J. Jones (Scrutiny Co-Ordinator), G. George (Committee Services Manager), R. Thomas (Committee Services Officer)

Co-opted Members: Miss J.G. Jenkins (UCAC), Mr J. Bills (CGA), Mrs S. Evans (CGA)

APOLOGIES

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs. A. Collins. And representatives Ms L. Keeling (NAHT), Mr R. Parsons (ATL)

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting, together with Janice Thompson, Rudry Primary School Headteacher, and Alison Cleeve, Rudry Primary Chair of Governors, who were to address the Committee regarding agenda item 3(1) - Proposal to Establish a Primary School at Waterloo with Effect 1st September 2010.

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest made at the beginning or during the meeting. 1 Education for Life Scrutiny Committee – 19.06.08

2. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting held on 8th April 2008 (minute nos. 1 - 10, page nos. 1 - 4), be approved as a correct record.

3. CALL-IN PROCEDURE : PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A PRIMARY SCHOOL AT WATERLOO WITH EFFECT 1ST SEPTEMBER 2010

Members considered, under the councils Call in procedure, the decision taken by the Cabinet on 27th May 2008 not to proceed with proposals to establish a primary school at Waterloo from September 2010 and that officers investigate and report to a future meeting on the costs of upgrading the existing, poor and constrained accommodation at Rhydri Primary School which was not fit for purpose and a consultation procedure for establishing a welsh medium school on the Waterloo site.

The Council’s Monitoring Officer reported that this request was valid within the terms of the Council's Constitution and had been supported by the appropriate number of members. The call-in was made on the grounds that the Cabinet decision of 27th May 2008 was made without regard to material facts or information which in the opinion of the members making the Call in request have led to a different decision being made by Cabinet.

Members were then invited to consider the merits of the Call-in request and to decide whether the Cabinet decision was made without regard to material information, which would lead to a different decision being made by Cabinet.

At the start of the debate the Chairman first invited the signatories to the petition to speak in support of the Call in. Their arguments were summarised as follows:

- The Cabinet decision had in their opinion been taken without proper consultation with interested parties including parents teachers the governing body and pupils. It displayed a disregard for the consultation process that had been followed for an English medium school

- Estyns report whilst praising the standards achieved in the recent inspection drew attention to the limitations imposed by the building including the fact that there was little opportunity to withdraw pupils with Special Educational Needs from classes to receive specialised teaching.

- The main buildings and classrooms were very small and did not provide adequate space for the number of pupils in the school especially in the light of the forthcoming Foundation Phase for younger pupils.

- The Education for Life Scrutiny Committee had not been given an opportunity to discuss the decision taken on 27 May 2008 that was felt to have been made without any regard to any long-term educational strategy for either english or welsh medium education.

- Approximately 52% of the pupils who attended the school reside from outside the catchment area with only 36 pupils from Rhydri village.

- The Cabinet decision will delay the opening of a new school and pupils and staff will continue to work in building deemed not fit for purpose however much was spent on it.

- The new school at Waterloo should be opened as an English school alongside a further long-term look at the provision of welsh medium education. in the light of surplus places in the three Caerphilly welsh primaries

2 Education for Life Scrutiny Committee – 19.06.08 - Pupils rights as contained in the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights had been ignored.

- Members referred to the e-mail from DTZ, circulated to all members, seeking confirmation as to whether the school will operate in english or welsh as this may affect the Section 106 agreement.

The Head Teacher of Rhydri Primary and Chairman of Governors then addressed the committee and supported and amplified many of the comments made by previous speakers. They both expressed, on behalf of staff and governors, their disappointment at the Cabinet’s decision and wholeheartedly supported a relocation to the Waterloo site to build on the good educational standard of Rhydri school. They referred to the shortcomings of the existing building and praised the work of the staff in achieving the standards recognised by Estyn in spite of these shortcomings. This school in common with other small schools found it very difficult to meet the curriculum needs.

They also referred to a suggestion that the village hall could be used for additional teaching requirements. This was not considered realistic, as it would lead to a loss of about three hours per week teaching time in travelling between buildings.

A petition had been collected in support of the proposals to build a new school on the Waterloo site. Remaining on the present site was not an option. There had been no active local campaign to save the school.

The Council’s Assistant Director of Education for Planning and Strategy explained the background to the Public Notice process that had lead to a recommendation in the report to Cabinet on 20th May for approval to proceed with the proposal to establish the primary school from September 2010. As there have been no statutory objections, the Authority was expected to make a decision regarding implementation of the proposal by 28th May 2008 (4 months from the date of the Published Notice). The matter had been deferred to a special meeting of the Cabinet on 27th May 2008 who had not supported that recommendation. The time limit for the original decision had therefore passed and any future proposals would be required to commence from the outset.

Members also had been circulated with the views of the Bedwas Cluster Coordinator who believed that the possible education for all children living in the Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen area would only be met by the original proposal of establishing a new English medium primary school for Rudry children, within the catchment of Bedwas High.

After listening to the views expressed by all parties present (with the exception of Councillor J.O. Evans who abstained having not heard all the debate) it was agreed that the Cabinet decision of 27th May 2008 was made without regard to material information, which could have lead to a different decision being made by them.

It was moved and seconded that “The matter be referred to full council for discussion; this will give an opportunity for all members to fully discuss the present situation”

An amendment was moved and seconded that “The matter be referred back to Cabinet for them to reconsider their decision”

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 15.4, it was moved and seconded, and by a majority vote agreed that there would be a recorded vote.

The following members voted for the amendment: Councillors M. Davies, Miss L. Hughes, M.P. James, Mrs R. Potter, J.E. Roberts, J Taylor (6)

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The following members voted against the amendment: Councillors H.W. David, W. David, R.T. Davies, D.M. Gray, D.T. Hardacre, Mrs. G. Oliver, D.W.R. Preece, D. Rees, G.D. Simmonds, K. Smallman, R. Woodyatt (11)

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors H.W. David, W. David, R.T. Davies, D.M. Gray, D.T. Hardacre, Miss L. Hughes, Mrs. G. Oliver, D.W.R. Preece, D. Rees, J.E. Roberts, G.D. Simmonds, K. Smallman, R. Woodyatt (13)

The following members voted against the motion: Councillors M. Davies, M.P. James, Mrs R. Potter, J Taylor (4)

Councillor J.O. Evans abstained from voting having not been present during the whole of the debate.

The motion was therefore declared carried and the matter be referred to full council for discussion to give an opportunity for all members to fully discuss the present situation and any report to that meeting to make reference to the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights.

The Scrutiny Committee adjourned for a five minute break and reconvened at 6.15 p.m.

4. CABINET REPORTS

The Cabinet reports listed on the agenda had not been requested to be brought forward for review at the meeting.

5. REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR EDUCATION AND LEISURE

Councillor P.J. Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education and Leisure congratulated Mrs Anita Cook, Headteacher of Bedwas High School, after she was named on the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2008 to receive a MBE for services to Education in Caerphilly. The Committee wished to place on record their recognition of the award, and it was agreed to write to her.

The Cabinet Member advised that due to work commitments, he hadn’t had the opportunity to produce a report for the Committee. He would however, send an update to Members separately.

6. HOME TO SCHOOL/COLLEGE TRANSPORT - WAG UPDATE

The report informed Members of the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) developments regarding home to school/college transport. It took into consideration the recently published Learner Travel (Wales) measure and guidance to local authorities on the provision of home to school transport.

Officers referred to the powers WAG had to direct a local authority to make arrangements for transport, or otherwise, to facilitate the attendance of pupils receiving education and touched upon the powers WAG didn’t have.

Members were asked to note the Learner Travel (Wales) measure makes provision for a number of changes, in particular the discretion to propose changes to school opening and closing times to promote sustainability or improve effectiveness or efficiency of travel. Officers highlighted this could result in a large reduction in travel to school/college costs.

4 Education for Life Scrutiny Committee – 19.06.08 The Scrutiny Committee welcomed and noted the report.

7. PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A WELSH MEDIUM PRIMARY SCHOOL AT PENALLTA WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST SEPTEMBER 2009

The report sought Members’ views on the proposal to establish a Welsh Medium primary school from September 2009, as part of the formal consultative process.

Officers advised Members of the consultation process and informed them of action taken to date, and added it was now time for the Scrutiny Committee to comment. Members questioned the strategic plans for both English and Welsh medium schools. They were advised numbers for Welsh medium schools had grown, catchment areas had been changed and there was surplus capacity in Caerphilly town at the moment. However three new schools were introduced recently although this was not always possible due to financial and location constraints.

The Scrutiny Committee noted the report and attached appendices, and gave their full support to the proposal to establish a Welsh Medium primary school from September 2009.

8. CAERPHILLY CHILDCARE STRATEGY

The report updated Members on the progress of the Childcare Strategy for Caerphilly County Borough, and sought their endorsement, prior referral to Cabinet and Council.

Officers reminded Members that the Cymorth grant (also known as the Children and Youth Support Fund) aims to provide a network of targeted support for children and young people (0-25 year olds) within a framework of universal provision, in order to improve the life chances of children and young people from disadvantaged families. The report highlighted where the funds would be allocated and also included details of other areas of funding. In particular, officers highlighted the transfer of Childcare monies from the Cymorth fund to the RSG.

Members thanked officers for the informative report and received clarification that the staff referred to in 5.1 of the report would have permanent employment status. However, the job roles were subject to funding arrangements.

Officers advised they were now reviewing all the projects and a report updating Members would be brought before the Committee in September. This update will also reflect the remaining elements of the Cymorth fund following the full transfer of the grant into the RSG as from 2011.

In addition, the Children and Young People’s Plan would be discussed at a seminar of both the Education for Life Scrutiny and Health, Social Care & Well Being Scrutiny Committee on 10th July. All members would be invited to attend.

The Scrutiny Committee endorsed the recommendations contained in the report and recommended to Cabinet that:-

(i) the Childcare Strategy for Caerphilly County Borough with its 11 priorities set out in 4.1.7 of the report, and the Action Plan (Appendix 1) linked to the priorities, be agreed and recommended to Council; (ii) that the budget figures set out in the Financial Implication (5), of the report, be agreed and are as all Council budgets, subject to annual review and efficiency savings; and (iii) that the employee posts set out in this report are agreed as permanent by Cabinet.

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9. SCHOOL BALANCES AT 31ST MARCH 2008

The report advised Members of the individual school balances as at 31 March 2008, within CCBC.

Officers informed Members that the figures for CCBC were fairly average when viewed against the across Wales figure, however it was recognised that a number of schools continued to hold large carry-overs. In particular 8 primary sector schools have balances in excess of £100,000, whilst 10 have balances in excess of 15% of the school’s formula. Additionally, 10 primary schools have deficit balances, as at 31 March 2008, but are planning to bring these within budget within 2 years.

Members discussed the report and sought clarification as to the use of the surpluses and possible recovery of the monies. Officers advised monies could not simply be recouped. The Authority’s (School) Budget Forum was shortly to debate building maintenance funds. A Member gave his concerns over the uncertainty of Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre’s budget and was advised that a review of the current LMSS formula funding was currently ongoing and one aspect of that would address pupil led funding based on an agreed matrix of needs. The Director and officer would be meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors next week to discuss the current budget situation.

Members highlighted that the surpluses could be outside the school’s control, especially in regard to building maintenance, with invoices outstanding and small repairs turning into major ones. Officers confirmed financial support was provided to Headteachers and where balances exceeded 5%, schools were sent a letter asking what plans they had to spend those monies.

The Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.

10. FINANCIAL PLAN 2008/09

The report advised Members of the financial Plan for Education & Leisure for 2008/2009, which outlined how the Directorate’s total available budget had been allocated.

Officers advised that following changes and transfers to the Directorate within the last year, all of which were taken into consideration within the report, a comparison with 2007/2008 was extremely difficult.

The Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.

11. REQUESTS FOR AN ITEM TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE AGENDA

(1) Councillor M. Davies requested a report on the value of land and property sold by the Directorate in the last four years, either directly or indirectly;

(2) Councillors D. Rees and J. Roberts requested a report to compare the youth service provision against WAGs youth service strategy. This should include a multi-agency review, as well as CCBC, to highlight the service provision as a whole. Officers advised this may have to be put before the Committee as two separate reports.

(3) Councillor W. David repeated an earlier request for a report on the effectiveness of teacher assistants and the numbers used within the borough; and

6 Education for Life Scrutiny Committee – 19.06.08 (4) Councillor D. Hardacre requested supplemental information to an earlier report requested, relating to schools participating in the WAG free school breakfast initiative. The report should now include details of: - schools participating in the scheme; - schools not participating in the scheme, including those that charge for breakfast clubs; - the benefits of the WAF initiative; and - the legal implications if a child’s health were to be affected.

The meeting closed at 7.15 p.m.

Approved as a correct record, and subject to any amendments or corrections agreed and recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2008, they were signed by the Chairman.

______CHAIRMAN

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