Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None received.

To present the report of the Head of Learning.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Learning in relation to the Isle of Anglesey Education Strategy - Schools’ Modernisation (2018 update).

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Libraries, Youth & Culture reported that the original Education Strategy – Schools’ Modernisation was published in 2013 and this document is an update of the Strategy.  He noted that this Authority has worked closely with Head Teachers and Elected Members in respect of modernisation of schools programme with10 smaller primary schools which have been combined into 3 modern 21^st century schools in three areas within Band A. By the end of the Band A programme 10% of Anglesey Primary Schools pupils will be receiving their education in 21^st century buildings. In Secondary Schools on the Island, the decrease in the numbers and an increase in empty places, together with the cuts faced has resulted in significant budgetary challenges across the secondary sector.  The Portfolio Holder also noted that as a result of the above, together with the central government austerity programme, the Education Service must find savings of £5m over the next three years.  Welsh Government’s 21^st Century Modernisation of Schools programme, Band B is to be introduced in 2019, and there will be an opportunity to further modernise Anglesey schools to address local budgetary challenges.  It is foreseen that the catchment area of Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch will have to be prioritised within Band B as the number of empty school places is high and that the anticipated increase in number due to Wylfa Newydd, approximately 200 pupils will not make a significant difference. He further said that post-16 education on the Island also needs to be addressed. 

The Head of Learning reported that the ambition of this Authority is to ensure that every pupil achieves their full potential. However, he said that the financial situation continues to be challenging in the primary sector and the difference in expenditure per pupil in the primary sector is a cause of concern and is unsustainable for the future. He further said that there are 28% of empty places within the secondary sector on Anglesey which will have to be addressed if secondary education is sustainable within certain areas.  The Head of Learning referred to the central government austerity programme, which equates to the Education Service having to find saving of £5m over the next three years and that the Modernisation Strategy must be reviewed in order to establish a schools system which will have modern buildings suitable for the next thirty years to ensure the best opportunities for the authority’s pupils.  He noted that the education process is facing extensive changes not been seen for a number of years. Headteachers need to have sufficient non-contact time to lead their schools effectively. The post-16 education needs to be reviewed and addressed to gauge whether the current pattern is suitable for the future.  

The Head of Learning further reported that Estyn in 2013 referred to the challenges that are facing small  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To present the report of the Head of Corporate Transformation and Human Resources.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Transformation and Human Resources in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate reported that the Annual Performance Plan looks back on the Council’s performance for 2017/18 together with the Council’s progress against the Authority’s Wellbeing Objectives.  The Portfolio Holder outlined the Council’s achievements during 2017/18 as noted in the report.  He further referred to the Performance Indicators for 2017/18 and services are improving even though the Council faced having to make savings of £2.5m within the budget.  The National Indicators, known as Performance Accountability Measures (PAM) are published and compare every local authority against the same indicators.  In 2017/18, 50% of the indicators for this Authority had improved, 36% declined in performance and 14% of the indicators are new.  He noted that each year the PAM indicators are reviewed and new performance indicators are introduced to monitor performance on a national basis. 

The Committee considered the Officer’s report and the information presented and made the following points :-

·      Clarification was sought as to the how the 2017/18 performance indicators have an effect on work programmes for the next few years and whether priority needs to be given to some services which have been highlighted as risks.  The Chief Executive responded that the Performance Report gives an indication as to how the Council is performing at a given time.  He said that the most important matter is that the Council continues to improves services provided;

·      Reference was made that the Island have suffered pockets of deprivation with high levels of young people unemployed and also young people leaving the Island to find work.  Questions were raised as to how many people have been able to take advantage of employment opportunities following recent developments on the Island i.e. Llangefni Link Road, Bluestone project, Msparc in Gaerwen etc., and whether this has improved the Island economy.  The Head of Profession Human Resources & Transformation responded that if people are in employment they are able to contribute to the local economy and be able to improve their quality of life.  The figures as regards to young people who have been successful in gaining employment with new organisations will need to be sought by another department and will be forwarded to members in due course.  The Leader of the Council said that the objectives within the Performance Plan have been set by the Council and she referred to the Menai Science Park which is the only facility in Wales that offers such a facility and it is premature at the moment to evaluate the effect of such a facility has on the economy of the Island;

·      Clarification was sought as to whether the 36% of the PAM which have declined in performance are more of a concern than others.  The Chief Executive responded that every performance indicator is important and that reasons why performance against indicators have declined needs to be investigated;

·      Concerns expressed that one of the performance indicators shows that a high level of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.