Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning requesting the Executive to rescind its previous decisions on the future of education provision in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

As he had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor Richard Dew withdrew from the meeting during the consideration and determination thereof.

The Chief Executive reported that as a result of a number of comments and concerns about the consultation process in relation to the modernisation of schools in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas and the submission of a complaint regarding non-compliance with the Schools’ Organisation Code (006/2013), Officers conducted an internal review of the statutory consultation process held in both areas. Findings from the internal review highlighted technical concerns regarding compliance with the School Organisation Code (006/2013) specific instances of which are set out in the report. Due to those concerns, the risks associated with the process and the need to be able to demonstrate that the process has been wholly thorough and transparent, and because of the Council’s respect for the communities involved, Officers recommend that the Executive’s previous decisions on the future of education in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas are rescinded.

The Chief Executive said that this slip is not the responsibility of the Executive nor Elected Members who have acted on the advice of Officers; it has arisen as a result of specific points where the Council’s consultation process did not comply with the requirements of the Code which were not identified at the time. As Chief Executive and as the Officer who had overall responsibility for the programme at that time, he regretted and was very disappointed that this had occurred especially as the Schools’ Modernisation process is among the most challenging of the Council’s programmes  requiring at times very difficult decisions to be made. He apologised for the slippage particularly to all the stakeholders who had taken the time to participate in the consultation processes held in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas. The objective of the Schools’ Modernisation Programme remains the provision of a first rate learning environment for the Island’s pupils, teachers and Head Teachers thereby creating the circumstances in which they can achieve and succeed. The Chief Executive said that both he and the Executive regard the success of the Island’s school children and the success of education on the Island as a matter of paramount importance.

The Portfolio Member for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth said that he shared the Chief Executive’s disappointment by this development because of all the work that has been undertaken on behalf of the Council and everyone associated with the schools in the two areas and particularly as it is due to a slip in process. Although the relevant matters were given attention and were debated in scrutiny and other meetings, this did not take place in strict conformance with the Code. Whilst the lapse is a lapse in process, the Council including its elected members, apologise to all those connected with the schools in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas. In light of the details in the report, he proposed the Officers’ recommendation that the previous decisions on education provision in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas be rescinded. He also proposed that the Officers be asked to look afresh at the various issues in relation to schools’ modernisation and the requirements under the Schools’ Organisation Code 2018 in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas and bring an appropriate report back to the Executive in due course.

The Executive concurred with the Portfolio Member’s proposals.

It was resolved –

•           To rescind the previous decisions made by the Executive with regard to the future of education in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas.

•           To ask the Officers to look afresh at the various issues in relation to schools’ modernisation and the requirements under the Schools’ Organisation Code 2018 in the Llangefni and Seiriol areas and to bring an appropriate report back to the Executive in due course.

(Councillor Carwyn Jones did not vote on the matter)