Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The Education & Youth Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which checks the work of the Cabinet, reviewed the Education Portfolio's annual self-evaluation report for 2024-25. The report concludes that Flintshire's education services are strong and good value for money. The committee commented on the report and recommended that the Education Services budget for 2026/27 should not be reduced, following a proposal from Councillor Carolyn Preece.

1. Education services self-evaluation report 2024-25

   Decided

   The committee reviewed and commented on the outcome of the Education Portfolio's annual self-evaluation report on the quality of education services for 2024-25. It also recommended that there be no reduction in the Education Services budget for 2026/27, in view of the key risks to delivering education services set out in the report.

   Why

   Self-evaluation is the council's yearly check on how well its education services work. The report concludes that services are strong, support children and young people well and give good value for money, despite budget pressures on the council and on schools. It also says that improving school attendance and reducing exclusions is not moving fast enough. Councillor Carolyn Preece proposed the budget recommendation because of the key risks set out in the report, and Councillor Andrew Parkhurst seconded both recommendations.

   Based on the minutes, Self-evaluation on education services & learner outcomes, Enc. 1

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1. 2

   Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)

   Minute

   No declarations were made.

2. 3

   Urgent Matters as agreed by the Chair

   Minute

   The Chair advised that there were no urgent matters to be considered.

3. 4

   Self-evaluation report on education services 2024-25

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee reviewed and commented on the outcome of the Education Portfolio’s annual self-evaluation report on the quality of education services for the period 2024-25; and (b) In view of the key risks related to the delivery of education services, as outlined with the report, the Committee recommend that there is no reduction within the needed Education Servies Budget for 2026/27.

   Minute

   The Cabinet Member for Social Services read out a statement, in relation to the report presented to the Committee, on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure who had been unable to attend the meeting. The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) presented the report (agenda item number 4) which presented the annual self-evaluation report which was structured against the two inspection areas: Education Services and their Impact and Leading and Improving. The report identified strengths and areas for further improvement, and those areas for improvement were then reflected in the Council Improvement Plan and the Portfolio’s own Business Plan. The overall conclusion of the self-evaluation report was that education services in Flintshire were strong, effectively support children and young people across a wide range of provision and continued to provide good value for money, particularly in the context of the financial challenges facing the Council’s budget and the schools’ delegated budgets. Councillor Carolyn Preece suggested an additional recommendation that Education Services budgets not be reduced given the key risks outlined within the report. The following recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillor Preece and Councillor Andrew Parkhurst:- • That the Committee reviewed and commented on the outcome of the Education Portfolio’s annual self-evaluation report on the quality of education services for the period 2024-25; and • In view of the key risks related to the delivery of education services, as outlined with the report, the Committee recommend that there is no reduction within the needed Education Servies Budget for 2026/27. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee reviewed and commented on the outcome of the Education Portfolio’s annual self-evaluation report on the quality of education services for the period 2024-25; and (b) In view of the key risks related to the delivery of education services, as outlined with the report, the Committee recommend that there is no reduction within the needed Education Servies Budget for 2026/27.

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Self-evaluation on education services & learner outcomes, Enc. 1

4. Members of the Press and Public in Attendance

   Minute

   There were no member of the public in attendance.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.

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