Agenda, decisions and minutes

As noted above.

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

Councillor Dylan Rees declared a prejudicial interest in Item 4, North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority Consultation (Emergency Cover Review) and left the meeting during discussion and voting thereon.

Councillors Jeff Evans and John I Jones declared a personal interest in Item 4 – North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June, 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 June, 2023 were confirmed as correct.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

 (As the Chair of the Committee had declared a prejudicial interest in this item the Vice-Chair was in the Chair for this item.  Councillor Ken Taylor was elected as Vice-Chair for this item only).

The report of the Chief Executive was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Vice-Chair in the Chair said that the Chief Fire Officer for the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service gave a presentation to a Members Briefing Session in July.  He noted that proposals and options were highlighted by the Chief Fire Officer as regards to the consultation document in respect of an Emergency Cover Review.  It was reported that additional comments have been received by the Chief Fire Officer following the publication of the Agenda for this meeting and the Committee will have an opportunity to respond to these comments. 

The Leader of the Council said that the consultation refers to the Emergency Cover Review of the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service with 3 Options put forward for discussion and consultation together with costs implications.  A draft response on behalf of the County Council has been attached to the report.  She noted that it was important that the Scrutiny Committee be given the opportunity to make comments on the draft response.  She further said that the majority of the funding for the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service is received by way of levy from the six unitary Authorities within the area.  The Council pays into this combined fund and the contribution is based on population.  Any change in the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service budget would consequently impact on the levy contributions and would result in added pressure on the Council’s budget. 

The Executive Manager (Leadership Team) said that the consultation period to respond to the Emergency Cover Review by the North Wales Fire & Rescue Authority will come to an end at the end of this month.  She noted that the intention of the draft response to the consultation is to summaries the main concerns the Council wishes to highlight.  

The Chief Executive said that Option 3 within the consultation document will have an affect on the Island but the other two options would not have an effect on the service provided by the Fire & Rescue Authority but would result in financial impact on the local authorities. 

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters:-

·         Questions were raised as to whether the Fire & Rescue Service has considered  reviewing its central administration costs in order to save front-line services.  The Chief Executive responded that similar questions were asked last year whilst setting the levy as regards the administration cost to save front-line services.  He noted that as is similar within this Authority central administrative costs have been reduced over the years.  He further said that following the publication of the Agenda for this Committee the Fire & Rescue Authority has seen the draft consultation response and have provided details that they have reduced their costs of up to 10% over the last 10 years.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

·       GwE Annual Report for the Isle of Anglesey : 2022/2023

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

·       Education Scrutiny Panel Progress Report

To submit a report by the Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel.

·       Education Scrutiny Charter

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People and the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

·          GwE Annual Report for the Isle of Anglesey : 2022/2023

Submitted – a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that he welcomed the report and the joint working with GwE has resulted in the majority of schools on Anglesey performing well. 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that the Local Authority works in a close and effective partnership with GwE.  GwE is the regional education consortium for North Wales and works in partnership with Anglesey’s Learning Service in terms of improving schools, sharing good practice, knowledge and skills, increasing local strengths and building capacity.  He noted that the report includes appendices on the Progress and Impact in Secondary and Special Schools; Progress and Impact in Primary Clusters and Data on Training and Support for Anglesey.  Priorities have been identified to be developed further in the secondary schools’ improvement plans as noted within the report. 

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters:-

• Questions were raised as to what are the standards within Anglesey’s  schools at present and to what extent does GwE’s work have an impact on standards in Anglesey schools.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that regular meetings are undertaken with GwE’s representatives to discuss the standards in every schools’, teaching and learning, leadership and other matters as required.  The schools’ evaluation processes are improving and GwE’s role focuses on leadership within the schools.  He noted that each schools have their own support plan which is based on the needs of the school and progress of these needs within the schools is discussed in regular meetings with GwE’s representatives.  He further said that the role of the Governing Bodies within the schools are imperative to process detailed information as regards to standards within the schools.  Mrs Sharon Vaughan, Senior Leader GwE’s (Secondary Schools) referred to the Secondary Sector and said that GwE meets with the leaders within the schools to support and plan improvements within the schools.  Each school visit each of the 5 secondary schools on the Island so as to gauge the standards within the schools which can identify the strengths and the areas that need to be improved.  Mrs Gwenno Jones, Senior leader GwE (Primary Schools) referred to the Primary Sector and said that work is undertaken to evaluate improvement priorities within the primary schools.  Groups of Headteachers meet on a regular basis together with school staff to discuss the improvements needed and to share good practices within each school.
• Reference was made to GwE’s report referring that ‘intensive support has been given to one secondary school on the Island to try to improve the quality and effectiveness of senor leadership.  They remain on the recovery journey and continue to receive intensive support.  In this school, although areas requiring development are correctly identified, the planning for improvement and culture for ensuring joint improvements are not strong  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager setting out the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s indicative Forward Work Programme for 2023/2024 was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED:-

·             To agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2023/2024;

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