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The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
Members scrutinised two proposals: reorganising additional learning needs (ALN) provision, and splitting Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur into two schools. They also considered the Youth Work Strategic Plan, attendance and exclusion reports, and corporate performance reports. Scrutiny supported both school proposals and the corporate annual report going to Cabinet, and noted the other items.
The Education Scrutiny Committee considered the draft Learner Travel Assistance Policy and a combined report on Pathways to Progression and the planned Trefelin Pathways to Progression Centre. The committee backed the policy going to Cabinet and supported a request that the Leader press Welsh Government over children who receive both a Motability vehicle and council transport, and it noted the Trefelin report. Members also added two items to the committee's forward work programme, its list of future scrutiny topics.
The Education Scrutiny Committee considered business plans for education, leisure and lifelong learning services and for engineering and transport, and noted both. It supported the committee's annual report for 2025/2026 and passed it to Council. Members raised concern about school budgets, falling pupil numbers and the future of Flying Start childcare.
Members of the Education Scrutiny Committee questioned officers on three reports: pupil attendance, pupil exclusions and the Community Focused Schools grant. Scrutiny means members questioning officers about council services. Members noted all three reports, and the minutes record no formal decisions.
Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The Education Scrutiny Committee considered a review of the school funding formula, along with reports on exam results, literacy and numeracy, school counselling and performance. On the funding formula, the committee supported the draft Cabinet recommendation, so it goes to Cabinet on 4 February. The other items were noted.
The Education Scrutiny Committee considered three reports on 27 November 2025: children educated at home, safeguarding in education, and the recent inspection of local education and youth services. Members noted all three reports after questioning officers, and they raised concerns about safeguarding, school funding deficits and support for children returning to school. The committee also asked for home to school transport updates for quarters one and two to be reported to it.
The committee considered the Welsh in Education Annual Report, school maintenance and improvements, an update on the Curriculum for Wales, and quarter 1 service improvement plans. It noted each report and changed the dates of two items in its future work programme.
The Education Scrutiny Committee considered updates on pupil attendance and pupil exclusions for 2024–2025 and noted both reports. Members heard that attendance has improved but remains below pre-Covid levels, and that exclusions fell but permanent exclusions remain high. The committee also made changes to its forward work programme.
Members scrutinised the Play Sufficiency Assessment 2025 to 2028 and supported the recommendation in the draft Cabinet report. They also noted the education service improvement plans and added four reports to the committee's future work programme.