Scrutiny recommendations to Cabinet on school budgets
Decided: The minute records that the observations on the school budget deep dive were included in the paper to the Portfolio Holder, as recorded under item 10.
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Welsh councils this month made decisions on school closures and openings, special school space, and school repairs, while budgets and additional learning needs (ALN) funding remained pressure points. Carmarthenshire, Powys, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea took some of the main decisions.[7][8][4][2][5]
Written in November 2026 from council records since 20 September 2026, open consultations and official sources. Written automatically, then checked: every point names its sources and every figure appears in them. Follow the links to check anything before relying on it.
Councils run community schools, fund every state school, provide school transport and support pupils with additional learning needs. They plan school places, including Welsh-medium places under a ten-year plan.
The Cabinet decides on school changes, such as opening, closing or merging schools, after a formal consultation. Head teachers and governing bodies run each school day to day.
Proposals to change a school must be consulted on, and anyone can respond. Parents can also become school governors.
| Council | Items | With a decision |
|---|---|---|
| Powys | 102 | 75 |
| Carmarthenshire | 93 | 74 |
| Pembrokeshire | 67 | 60 |
| Swansea | 64 | 41 |
| Flintshire | 63 | 48 |
| Cardiff | 53 | 50 |
| Caerphilly | 53 | 0 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 52 | 46 |
| Monmouthshire | 48 | 12 |
| Ceredigion | 44 | 38 |
| Gwynedd | 43 | 38 |
| Newport | 43 | 22 |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 42 | 28 |
| Conwy | 40 | 36 |
| Neath Port Talbot | 39 | 28 |
| Wrexham | 36 | 32 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 29 | 24 |
| Blaenau Gwent | 27 | 25 |
| Denbighshire | 22 | 17 |
| Bridgend | 18 | 0 |
| Torfaen | 10 | 7 |
Decided: The minute records that the observations on the school budget deep dive were included in the paper to the Portfolio Holder, as recorded under item 10.
Decided: The committee noted the reasons for the strategy and the work done so far to develop it. Officers said they would look at a model to involve Members more widely in the strategy's aims.
Decided: The committee endorsed the need to expand specialist provision to meet rising demand and supported the start of Phase 1.
Decided: The committee noted the progress made and endorsed continued strengthening of safeguarding practice, with ongoing monitoring through overview and scrutiny. It acknowledged the rising demand and complexity of safeguarding across the Education and Youth portfolio, and supported consideration of future resource needs.
Decided: The committee noted the review and endorsed the Flintshire action plan and the progress reported to date. It asked for a six-monthly progress update, including measures of outcomes, until all actions are complete. It asked for assurance that issues in the plan are raised and dealt with through the North Wales Safeguarding Board. It also agreed that the Corporate Safeguarding Board will consider members' suggestions and report back to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee. Those suggestions include mandatory safeguarding training for members and staff, mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for members, and a dedicated phone number for concerns outside schools.
Decided: The committee noted the audit findings and supported the actions the portfolio is taking to reduce the identified risks. It also asked for a progress update to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026.
Decided: Members noted the presentation and supported the Service Pupil Promise project and its rollout within RCT Council.
Decided: The Cabinet Member resolved to appoint the people named in the minute to vacant local authority governor posts.
Decided: Cabinet noted the reports and the actions needed on performance issues. It confirmed Appendices I to IV for submission to the full Council in July for approval. It also agreed to support the proposed new improvement actions, including one on Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision.
Decided: The Cabinet approved moving to statutory consultation on proposals for Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr and Ysgol Llandybie. No final decision was taken.
Decided: The Cabinet approved funding of £219,000 to appoint a Strategic Business Manager. The post holder will lead a joint approach to managing back-office functions at Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen, and Ysgol Dyffryn Amman/Amman Valley Comprehensive School.
Decided: Members noted the report.
Decided: The committee supported the recommendation in its annual report and passed it to Council.
Decided: The Panel accepted the report on its role.
Decided: The minute records no decision. The Panel was asked to use the list in its discussion and to agree its work programme.
Decided: The minute records no decision, only that the key points will form part of a letter to the Cabinet Member.
Decided: The minute records that a work plan will be drawn up from the discussion, circulated to the Panel for comment and put on the agenda of its next meeting.
Decided: The Committee supported the final 2025/26 revenue position. It also supported the reserves and balances at 31 March 2026, including moving £165,761 into the Budget Mitigation reserve to support statutory services (those the council must provide by law). It agreed that these decisions be included in the Statement of Accounts, the council's formal annual accounts. It asked the Chair to write to Welsh Government to express the Committee's concern about the recent announcement that UK Government funding for additional learning needs (ALN) will not be allocated to Welsh councils.