Agenda and minutes

As noted above.

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

None received.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the following meetings:-

·        Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June, 2021;

·        Minutes of the meeting held on 28 June, 2021.

The minutes of the following meeting were confirmed as correct:-

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June, 2021;

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 28 June, 2021.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

Submitted – a report by the Chief Executive in relation to the above.

The Leader of the Council said that the Quarter 1 performance report provides an overview of progress on the Growth Deal programmes and projects.  However, she noted that whilst it is not evident within the report, considerable work has been undertaken in the background with regards to governance procedures and arrangements to ensure the success of the Growth Bid.  This quarter saw the first Outline Business Case considered and approved by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the assurance process for the project has since been approved by Welsh Government.  The Morlais Tidal Energy Project run by Anglesey social enterprise Menter Môn will now move to the next phase and submit a Full Business Case for consideration once the consenting process has been completed. 

The Chief Executive said that processes are put in place by both the UK Government and Welsh Government are stringent to assure that the projects within the Growth Bid are scrutinised as significant financial resources have been afforded by both Governments.  She was pleased that the first project to be approved was a project on the Island - the Morlais Tidal Energy Project.

The Deputy Chief Executive reiterated the comments of the Chief Executive as to the Morlais Tidal Energy Project.  He further said that two further Outline Business Cases – the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub leb by Grwp Llandrillo Menai and the Digital Signal Processing Centre led by Bangor University have started the approval process.  Both these projects have completed their independent Gateway Reviews and will be reported formally within the Quarter 2 progress report to this Committee.  The majority of the programmes are currently reporting as Amber following revising the business case development timetables resulting in a delay compared to the timetable outlined in the Portfolio Business Case.  This is primarily due to the processes taking longer than originally estimated due to complexity as regards to planning permission, financial consideration, governance and procurement process.  He further said that the North Wales Economic Ambition Board has appointed a new strategic communications partner – Ateb Cymru – to support communications and marketing activities whilst Hatch Regeneris has been appointed to provide general business case consultancy to the Portfolio Management Office.  Wavehill has also been commissioned to support the development of an economic case for the Smart Local Energy Project and Real Wireless to deliver a scoping study to support the Connected Corridors project within the Digital Programme. The Deputy Chief Executive further said that the priority is to see as many of the projects within the Growth Bid implemented and capital works in place as soon as possible.

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development said that a substantial amount of work is required to move forward the Growth Bid and he was pleased that the Morlais Tidal Energy Project has now moved forward to the next stage.  He further said that both UK and Welsh Governments, private businesses as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a progress report on the School’s Progress Review Panel.

 Submitted – a progress report on the work of the School Progress Review Panel. 

The Chair said that it was decided to introduce a temporary programme during the pandemic with the initial focus on scrutiny of the Learning Service’s response to the Covid 19 and the arrangements put in place during the emergency period. The work to monitor the standards of individual schools is well established, and continues to develop.  He referred that an update on the Welsh Language within the Anglesey’s Education System was afforded by the Primary Senior Manager to the Panel.  Reference was also made to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan which is a 10 year plan with 7 outcomes which was outlined within the report.  The Chair further referred to the Self-Evaluation of the Panel’s work undertaken and it has been noted that the Panel’s work has had a very positive impact and has held schools to account, challenge and assist in their continued development and improvement.  In terms of the areas for further development, it was felt that adequate follow-up did not occur after Panel Members visited individual schools.  It would be advisable to arrange a follow up visit approximately six months after the original visit to see if any developments or improvements have been implemented. 

The Chair further said that a verbal report was presented to the Panel on the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 focusing on the implications of the act locally.  The main changes were outlined in that the age has now extended from 0-25 years, and that there is a 7 week period to determine whether an individual has Additional Learning Needs, which is much sooner than the requirements of the previous act.  Reference was made to the innovative work in that the Council has an IDP system, with every school on the Island having access to the system, which means that the data is live and current.  It was noted that Anglesey and Gwynedd are the only two counties in Wales that have such a system and therefore lead the way in that regard.  The Chair noted that a letter has been sent to Welsh Government to express concern that there is a lack of Welsh Psychologist from North Wales being trained currently, which will lead to a staff shortage in the years to come.   Furthermore, the Panel received input from two Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinators and the points raised during their presentation was noted within the report.  It was noted that the Panel will receive regular updates to monitor the progress against the requirements of the Act.  

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth said that the Panel has received important reports as regards to the Additional Learning Needs Service and the Welsh Language within the Anglesey’s Education System recently.  He wished to thank the Panel for their work but the priorities of education is continuing to change and especially during the pandemic.  The Portfolio Holder challenged the Panel to demonstrate as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit the Forward Work Programme.

Submitted – a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

It was RESOLVED:-

·           To agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2021/22.

·           To note progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.