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Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The committee considered a proposal to start a public consultation on changing Ysgol Babanod Llanfairfechan from a T2 (dual language) school to a C3 (Welsh-medium) school. The committee recommended that Cabinet approve the consultation, and Cabinet will decide on 6 October 2026.
The committee scrutinised two reports: the council's annual review of its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for 2025-26, and a school funding review carried out by CIPFA, an independent public finance body. Members agreed to note both reports, to carry out a mapping exercise on Welsh-medium priorities, and to receive progress reports on the school funding action plan every three months. They also approved the committee's forward work programme.
On 2 June 2026 the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee appointed Councillor Geoff Stewart as Vice-Chair for 2026/2027. It considered the consultation outcome on the proposed closure of Ysgol Betws y Coed and recommended that Cabinet should not let the closure process proceed. A report on the proposed closure of Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan was also on the agenda, but the minutes available do not record what was said or decided on it.
The committee considered its Progress in Schools 2024-25 report, which summarises how Conwy schools performed and were supported during the 2024-25 academic year. It noted the report and resolved that Members continue to support schools in their daily work. It also noted the minutes of the School Budget Forum and the draft minutes of Conwy SACRE, and approved its forward work programme.
The committee considered the first Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Provision Review, which covers 2024-25, and noted it. The review found that current arrangements are not sufficient to meet all learners' needs, and officers proposed a wider review of specialist provision. Members deferred an update on the Strategic School Planning Working Group to a later meeting.
The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee made four recommendations to Cabinet, the councillors who run the council, on school planning and a new strategy. It recommended issuing a statutory notice to merge two Old Colwyn schools and starting a consultation on closing Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. It recommended deferring the consultation on closing Ysgol Betws y Coed and adopting a nine-year plan for modernising schools; it also appointed a Vice-Chair.
It recommended to Cabinet that both amalgamations be approved, and Cabinet will decide on 12 August 2025. On savings, it noted the statutory officers' advice that a permanent ring-fence on budget savings may be unlawful.
The committee re-appointed Councillor Kay Redhead as Vice-Chair and approved its forward work programme. It noted how the council prioritises school repair and maintenance work, and noted a report on progress across Conwy schools. No declarations of interest were recorded.
The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a group of councillors that examines reports before the Cabinet (the council's leading councillors) decides, considered an update on pupil attendance and a proposal to merge two primary schools in Old Colwyn. It noted the attendance update. On the merger, it recommended that Cabinet approve a public consultation on forming one school from Ysgol T Gwynn Jones and Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn.
The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which checks council proposals before Cabinet decides them, considered the outcome of the consultation on a proposed federation of Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan. The committee recommended to Cabinet that the proposal be paused so officers can explore further options. Three councillors declared personal interests in the item because they are school governors or have a family link to one, and they remained in the meeting.
The committee recommended to Cabinet that statutory notices be issued to amalgamate Ysgol Glan Gele with Ysgol Sant Elfod in Abergele, and Ysgol y Foryd with Ysgol Maes Owen in Kinmel Bay. It also recommended ending Conwy's agreement with the GwE regional school improvement service on 31 May 2025, and Cabinet, the council's leading councillors, takes the final decision on 18 February 2025.
The committee reviewed a plan for how the council appoints Local Authority governors to school governing bodies, and recommended that Cabinet approve the new procedure. Members also approved their forward work programme, which lists the reports they will consider next, and met in private to consider a report on a new Music Service model, with no outcome minuted.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.