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.

None received.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January, 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January, 2024 were confirmed as correct.

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

 Submitted – a progress report by the Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel.

The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Gwilym O Jones said that Education is one of the six key strategic aims of the Council Plan, and it is considered that Elected Members have a crucial role in realising this aim by scrutinising and holding to account and the work of the Education Scrutiny Panel contributes towards this aim.  He noted that this is the Panel’s third progress report and covers the period September 2023 – January 2024.  The Panel met on 4 occasions during this period and considered the following matters :-

•          Integrated Joint Working Model;

•          Wellbeing/Mental Health/Safeguarding;

•          Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion;

•          Schools Placed in Category, Estyn Follow Up or Receiving Additional Support;

•          Scrutiny Panel work programme for the period May 2023 – April 2024.

During consideration of the report questions were raised as to how to health and welfare of pupils are monitored.  The Senior Manager (Secondary Schools) responded that there have been many examples of good practice in schools on  Anglesey as regards to health and welfare and schools share good practices.   Further questions were raised as to whether the Panel has considered, within their forward work programme, as to how the budgetary savings will have an effect on the progress of schools and also whether the Panel has a strategy to monitor the effects.  The Deputy Chief Executive responded that continued monitoring will be undertaken on the effect of the budgetary savings by the Learning Service and the Scrutiny Panel will receive regular reports.  He noted that the Panel Members will have an opportunity to visit the schools and invite representatives from the schools before the Panel.   The Chief Executive said that a joint meeting of the Finance Scrutiny Panel and the Education Scrutiny Panel will meet at the end of this month to consider the impacts of the potential efficiency savings on the education provision.  He also said that there are uncertainties as regards to grant funding to schools and discussions will be undertaken within the joint meeting of both Panels on the impact from the next financial year onwards. 

Reference was made as to what suggestions can the Partnership and

Regeneration Scrutiny Committee have to further strengthen the work of the Education Scrutiny Panel.  The Chair of the Panel responded that it would be advantageous for the Panel to receive suggestions as to the areas within the Learning Service from Members of this Committee who are not members of the Panel.  Questions were raised as to whether to ‘voice of the pupil’ and ‘voice of the parents/guardians’ are considered as part of the scrutiny process.  The Scrutiny Manager responded that as part of the Panel’s Forward Work Programme the

Panel will be scrutinizing the matter raised as to the ‘voice of the learner’.  Further questions were raised as to whether the Panel consider that they need to receive specific areas of work that they are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

 Submitted – a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The Leader of the Council said that the Strategic Equality Plan is a key publication that aligns with the Council Plan and will contribute to the achievement of its strategic objectives and vision.  She noted that the Strategic Equality Plan is an ambitious Plan so as to build a fairer society for the people of Anglesey.  Creating an Anglesey where people can thrive means recognising that there are many causes of inequality and doing all possible to address them and to make sure that everyone is treated equally.  She noted that an Annual Equality report will be submitted in due course to this Committee.  

During consideration of the report reference was made that the draft plan contains eight equality objectives.  Questions were raised that in view of the current economic climate, whether this is too ambitious.  The Leader of the Council responded that it is important that the people of Anglesey are at the foremost in the services provided by the Council.  She said that it will be challenging to achieve the objectives within the Plan, however, the Council is currently committed to strengthening equality and examples have already been given when discussing the previous item as regards to education.  Further questions were raised as to how it is intended to measure the progress to reach the objectives contained within the Plan.  The Head of Democracy responded that there will be an internal Steering Group who will monitor the Annual Action Plan with the main task to develop performance indicators.   He noted that the membership of the Steering Group is yet to be agreed until the Equality Plan has been approved. The Leader of the Council said that the Steering Group will show who has the corporate ownership regarding each equality objective to ensure that each department takes its part in developing the objectives.  

Questions were raised as to what is intended over the next four years to raise awareness and increase knowledge of equality and diversity within the Council.  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that it is hoped that there will be increased focus on equality within the Council with regular reminders/messages distributed, as is similar with the Welsh language, to staff and elected members. She noted that there has been progress with equalities and diversity as it has been included as a general principle within the Council’s Plan which highlights expectations as equalities is an expectation across the Council.  The Steering Group will set out a strategic direction for equalities within the Council.  She further said that it is important that when new employees are employed by the Authority that they are made aware of the expectations towards equalities and diversity and managers have also a central role in promoting the expectations.  

Reference was made the objective 3 : Social Care and Wellbeing within the Equality Plan.  Questions were raised as to what the challenges the Authority will face in seeking to deliver this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

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

It was RESOLVED to :-

•          Agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2023/2024;

•          Note the progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.