Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Huw Jones, David Williams, Peter Scott and Co-opted Member, Kathleen Jones.

Personal declaration of interest were received for Agenda Item 5 - Management of School Governing Bodies.

Ø  Ellie Chard – Governor at Ysgol Tir Morfa

Ø  Arwel Roberts – Governor at Ysgol y Castell and Ysgol Dewi Sant

Ø  Geraint Lloyd-Williams – Governor at St. Brigids School

Ø  Huw Hilditch-Roberts – Governor at Ysgol Pen Barras

Ø  Hugh Irving – Governor at Prestatyn High School

Together with:

Ø  Co-opted member Neil Chambers Roberts – Governor at Ysgol y Parc and Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog

Ø  Co-opted member David James Lloyd – Governor at Ysgol y Llys

Due to the absence Councillor Huw Jones who was chair of the Performance Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Hugh Irving, the vice-chair, would chair the meeting. Members sent their sincerest best wishes to Councillor Jones for a full and speedy recovery.

To receive the minutes of the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13 June 2019 (copy enclosed)

10.05am – 10.10am

The minutes of the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting held 13 June 2019 were submitted.

Page 10 – ‘measuring the mountain’ project – information and links to the national report were in the additional document provided.

RESOLVED: - that the minutes of the Performance Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13 June 2019 be received and approved as a correct record.

To consider a report on the Management of School Governing Bodies by the Education Planning and Resource Manager (copy enclosed) which seeks the Committee to discuss potential measures to ensure that school governing bodies are effective and compliant with legislation

10.10am – 11am

The Lead Member for Education , Children and Young People introduced the Education Planning and Resources Manager’s report and associated  appendices (previously circulated) which outlined the Council’s role in the management of School Governing Bodies.  He advised that the purpose of the report was to clarify the scope, remit and powers of the Authority in relation to ensuring that school governing bodies were compliant with mandatory training, fulfilling their duties to fill vacant school governor roles and compliant with the statutory expectations in relation to polices, finance and procedures.  During his introduction he drew members’ attention to the data in the report on the number of governors and clerks who had completed their mandatory training courses.  Whilst the numbers who had completed these courses seemed rather low side and was potentially a cause for concern, the actual completion rates may be higher because it was the Clerk to the Governors of each individual school who was responsible for collating and maintaining the register and therefore their accuracy was subject to human error or oversight.  The role of the Clerk to the Governing Body was therefore crucial as not only did they hold responsibility for maintaining a register but they were also responsible for ensuring that governors did undertake and complete all training courses.  In future the accuracy of training data should be recorded more accurately as a number of the  training modules were now available via an on-line portal.  Whilst current figures on completion of training courses did raise some concerns it was also important to have regard to the extremely positive feedback received from Estyn following its recent inspections of schools in the county (Appendix 2 to the report) where no governance recommendations were made.  In addition, feedback received from governors during a recent county-wide training event had been positive with governors acknowledging that everyone within the field of Education was currently working within tight budgetary constraints.  Referring to a recent article in the local press regarding concerns raised about the quality of school governors the Lead Member advised that overall governors were competent in undertaking their roles and sufficient support was available and accessible for those who felt they needed it.

Responding to members’ questions the Lead Member, Head of Education and Children Services, Principal Manager:  Modernising Education, and the Education Planning and Resources Manager:

·         confirmed that having an effective clerk to a governing body was key to ensuring the success of the governing body and the school as a whole.  With a view to realising this mandatory training courses were provided for clerks to governing bodies on their role and responsibilities, how to undertake their role and what was expected of them.  All clerks were expected to complete their mandatory training within 12 months of appointment;

·         advised that the legislation relating to school governing bodies was complex.  Whilst all governors were volunteers the responsibilities placed upon them were extensive, they were responsible for ensuring their school was governed and managed effectively.  If they failed they would have to face the consequences;

·         advised that the Council’s role with respect of school governing bodies was laid out in the Government of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005.  The authority delivered support to governors through the limited accountability it had for school governing bodies, as did GwE;

·         emphasised that school governing bodies were autonomous organisations.  Whilst the Council could arrange training for governing body members and clerks and monitor schools’ performance, it was the governing bodies who had overall power in relation to the day to day running of the school.  The local education authority paid the staff’s wages etc., but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator (copy enclosed) seeking a review of the committee’s forward work programme and updating members on relevant issues.

11.15am – 11.45am

The Scrutiny Co-ordinator (SC) introduced the report (previously circulated) seeking Members’ review of the Committee’s work programme and providing and update on relevant issues.

Councillor Arwel Roberts raised an ongoing issue of dogs fouling in children’s parks. The CDEPR advised that it would be the planning and public protection service, he also acknowledged that the service may have dropped due to the decision to stop using an external consultant.

The LA were in the process of procuring a similar agency but that was ongoing.

The CDEPR advised Councillor Roberts to complete the Members Proposal Form to request the item return to scrutiny.

Councillor Martyn Holland queried why the risk register was on both Scrutiny FWP and the Corporate Governance FWP.

The SC explained that performance scrutiny monitor only the performance aspect where corporate governance assures the appropriate risks are registered.

RESOLVED: - that subject to the above the Forward Work Programme be approved.

To receive any updates from Committee representatives on various Council Boards and Groups

11.45am – 12pm

None.

Meeting closed 11:52