Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Kathryn Seeney and Christina Williams to their first meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee as newly appointed co-opted members representing Parent-Governors in the Primary sector and Secondary and ALN sectors respectively. The committee formally endorsed the appointments.

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

No declaration of interest was received.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 17 June 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 17 June 2025 were presented and were confirmed as correct.

To present the report of the Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation.

The report of the Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation incorporating the Corporate Scorecard for Quarter 1 of the 2025/26 financial year was presented for the Committee’s consideration. The scorecard report details the performance of key indicators in delivering the Council’s day to day operations which support the broader objectives of the Council Plan.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Corporate Business and Customer Experience introduced the first corporate scorecard report of the year, highlighting newly added indicators for 2025/26 which were designed to more accurately reflect performance and enhance value. Most indicators (90%) with set targets performed well during the quarter, achieving Green or Yellow  RAG status . Notable examples of good performance are detailed in section 2.3 of the report. Councillor Carwyn Jones also drew attention to five indicators currently rated Red or Amber against their targets as outlined in section 2.2 along with the associated mitigation measures. These indicators related to Housing Services (re-letting void properties and delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants), Climate Change (specifically waste recycling), and  Whole Council Health (timeliness of responses to FOI requests), all of which are being monitored by the Leadership Team.

The committee reviewed the corporate scorecard in the context of the Council’s strategic objectives – Welsh Language, Education, Social Care and Wellbeing, Housing, Economy and Climate Change. During the ensuing discussion the following matters were raised under these thematic areas:

·      Education and Welsh Language

·      The committee welcomed improved pupil attendance in both primary and secondary schools compared to Q1 of the previous year, though figures remain below target. Members requested an explanation for the underperformance and the measures being implemented to address it.

The Senior Primary Education Manager acknowledged that attendance continues to be a national challenge post pandemic. Schools are using attendance data effectively to identify at risk pupils and intervene appropriately. Contributing factors include illness,  continuing pandemic related disruptions, social and mental health issues,  disengagement with the curriculum, seasonal variation and family pressures such as financial hardship and caring responsibilities. Attendance remains a key priority for the Learning Service due to its strong link with pupils’ wellbeing, attainment and long term outcomes. Despite being below target, the trend is improving. Welfare Officers work closely with schools and families to address the root causes of absences with increased use of personalised attendance plans for affected pupils.

In follow-up questions, the committee asked about the relationship between exclusions and absenteeism, and whether excluded pupils or those withdrawn by families are included in the data. The Senior Primary Education Manager clarified that subject to confirmation, excluded pupils are not counted in the data. Welfare Officers  maintain contact with excluded children and support re-entry into education particularly for primary aged pupils.

For children withdrawn from school, the Learning Service and Social Services provide holistic support although it is the service’s view that formal education is the most beneficial setting. In response to a question about emotional based school avoidance, the Officer referenced ongoing work with trauma informed schools, pupil inclusion units and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To present the report of the Head of Housing Services.

This matter was considered under item 3 above.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager requesting the committee to endorse a revised process for membership of the three scrutiny panels based on the Council’s current political balance  arrangements was presented for consideration. Details of the scope and remit of each of the three scrutiny panels were appended to the report along with the terms of reference of the newly established Welsh Language and Equality Steering group to which the committee was asked to nominate a member. It was noted that the Political Group Leaders recently agreed to amend the membership of scrutiny panels to be subject to political balance principles and rules.

It was resolved –

·      To agree a revised process for membership of the three scrutiny panels based on the current political balance of the Council.

·      To agree the terms of reference for each of the three scrutiny panels as detailed in the appendices to the report.

·      To nominate Councillor Ieuan Willams to serve on the Welsh Language and Equality Steering Group.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager incorporating the Committee’s Forward Work Programme to April, 2026 was presented for consideration.

It was resolved –

·      To agree the current version of the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26 subject to the feedback from the Political Group Leaders meeting regarding the inclusion on the committee’s agenda of a standing item on climate related activities and progress towards net zero.

·      To note progress thus far in implementing the Forward Work Programme.