Performance Scrutiny Committee - People

The Committee considered the mid-year review of Education Services for 2025-26. Members questioned the Cabinet Member and officers, then made comments and recommendations. They asked for a link to the Corporate Risk Register, more on children who are persistently absent from school, and more context on complaints.

1. Education Services mid-year review 2025-26

   Decided

   The Committee recommended adding a link to the Corporate Risk Register, which lists the council's main risks, to give context for the risks. It asked that the Pupil Attendance Report, due on 17 February 2026, include support and alternatives for children who are persistently absent from school. It asked for more context on the themes of complaints. The minute records that members were pleased with the report.

   Why

   The mid-year review says the service is making good progress on all five of its objectives. It also says the budget is overspent because of more specialist additional learning needs (ALN) places, and that the high cost of ALN transport is unavoidable because it is a statutory duty, meaning one required by law.

   Based on the minutes, Item 4 - CR - People Mid-Year Reviews - Edu, Education Mid-Year Review 2025-26

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   Cllr Watkins declared an interest as a governor for Tredegar Park Primary School. Cllr Marshall declared an interest as a governor for the Bridge Achievement Centre.

2. 3

   Service Area Mid Year Report 2025-26 - Education Services

   Minute

   The Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years introduced the report. The Committee Members questioned the Cabinet Member and officers on the content of the report. Comments and recommendations: • The Committee recommended including a hyperlink to the Corporate Risk Register to provide context for risks. • The Committee requested that the Pupil Attendance Report due to be considered in the 17 February 2026 meeting include information on support and alternatives for children who are persistently absent. • The Committee requested more context around the themes of complaints. • The Committee were pleased with the report.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Item 4 - CR - People Mid-Year Reviews - Edu, Education Mid-Year Review 2025-26
3. 4

   Meeting recording

   Minute

   Please click here to watch the recording.

   Part of an issue followed across 17 meetings

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.

• Watkins: Interest

  Governor of Tredegar Park Primary School.

• Marshall: Interest

  Governor of the Bridge Achievement Centre.

• William Routley, ChairConservativePresent
• Alex Pimm, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Bev Davies, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Carmel Townsend, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratSent apologies
• Claire Baker-Westhead, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Debbie Harvey, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Debbie Jenkins, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Janet Cleverly, Committee MemberNewport Independent PartyPresent
• Stephen Marshall, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Trevor Watkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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