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The committee considered its work programme, the 2024 post-16 destinations of Year 11 pupils, the school budget position, and an information report on vocational GCSEs. It agreed the work programme, asked for a further report on post-16 destinations in 12 months, and agreed that school licensed deficits should be looked at in more detail in a closed meeting. It noted the vocational GCSEs report.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Ross Shepherd and Debbie Wallice and co-opted members Sian Hatton-Jones and George Greenwood.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 October 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare the existence and nature of any personal interest in respect of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Item 5 – Personal interest Alison Fisher – Foundation Governor at St Joseph’s High School Sam Regan – Chair of Governors Borras Park Primary School They remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon Item 5 – Personal and Prejudicial Councillor Beryl Blackmore – LA Governor Councillor Frank Hemmings LA Governor Councillor Stella Matthews – LA Governor Councillor Dana Davies – LA Governor They all claimed the exemption set out in paragraphs 12 (2) (a) (iii) of the Member Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon
Decision as recorded
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.
Alison Fisher: Personal interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
Foundation Governor at St Joseph's High School. Remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
Sam Regan: Personal interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
Chair of Governors at Borras Park Primary School. Remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
Beryl Blackmore: Personal and prejudicial interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
LA Governor. Claimed the exemption in paragraph 12(2)(a)(iii) of the Members' Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
Frank Hemmings: Personal and prejudicial interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
LA Governor. Claimed the exemption in paragraph 12(2)(a)(iii) of the Members' Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
Stella Matthews: Personal and prejudicial interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
LA Governor. Claimed the exemption in paragraph 12(2)(a)(iii) of the Members' Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
Dana Davies: Personal and prejudicial interest on Schools and Education & Early Intervention Budget Update
LA Governor. Claimed the exemption in paragraph 12(2)(a)(iii) of the Members' Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and vote.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.
AGREED – That the work programme be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/87/25) to consider the work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. Members were reminded that a fuller work programme setting out the schedule of items for the remaining year would be submitted for consideration at the December meeting. During debate the following matters were raised: · To consider keeping a slot available at the January meeting to consider the impact on schools arising from the 26/27 provisional budget. · The next School Improvement Monitoring Group meeting would be held in January. Date to be circulated. AGREED – That the work programme be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That Agenda Item 6 be brought forward and taken at this time.
AGREED – That Agenda Item 6 be brought forward and taken at this time.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcome the positive progress made in respect of continued learning which in Wrexham is slightly above the Wales average. (ii) That a further report be submitted in 12 months to include: - Work being undertaken by officers in respect of raising aspirations of learners for emerging job markets - EHE learner post 16 data, if possible - Information on the partnership work between schools, Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University to provide a unified curriculum offer in Wrexham (iii) That Wrexham University representatives be invited to attend a future meeting to provide more information on the post 18 offer locally. (iv) To reiterate the concerns of the Committee with regard to the barriers resulting in lack of access to post 16 and further education for some learners.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/29/25) to provide a comprehensive analysis of pupil destinations for Wrexham learners at the end of Year 11 in 2024. Presenting the report the Lead Member reminded the Committee that the destination figures presented in the report related to the 2023/24 Year 11 cohort. The Headteacher of Ysgol Morgan Llwyd addressed the Committee providing an overview of the post 16 provision at that school. The Deputy Vice-Chancillor of Wrexham University addressed the Committee referring to the partnership between the University and Coleg Cambria and the developing Business Gateway project. Members considered the report and during discussion the following matters were highlighted: · The majority of local post 16 learners attended Coleg Cambria · The importance of Welsh language provision · Recognition that the rate of continued learning in Wrexham was above the Welsh average · The availability of work based training and employment routes and ways in which these were being developed. The Lead Member referred to the development of the investment zone which included an element for the delivery of employment pathways and the role out of vocational GCSEs. · The COEEI stressed the importance of ensuring that the curriculum offer met the needs and aspirations of learners. · Noted that Officers were connecting with employer groups to understand the skills required. · In addition, consideration must be given to pupils who had struggled to fully engage with the traditional education offer to ensure that they had a secure pathway. · The challenges facing local authority post 16 schools in being able to offer more diverse courses. · Variation in retention rates from Year 11 to Year 12 sixth form provision in schools. · The importance of supporting the sustainability of school sixth form provision. · Information requested regarding the number of post 16 pupils educated in a school sixth form provision that were educated out of county. · Transport barriers which limited access to some school sixth form provision. · The Lead Member reported that regrettably owing to PSV legislation it would no longer be possible to offer concessionary seats from January 2026. · Requested that information be provided in respect of post 16 destinations of home schooled pupils and how that compared with other local authorities. · The importance of partnership working to ensure a joined up approach across schools, Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University, maximising the use of resources and avoiding duplication. AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcome the positive progress made in respect of continued learning which in Wrexham is slightly above the Wales average. (ii) That a further report be submitted in 12 months to include: - Work being undertaken by officers in respect of raising aspirations of learners for emerging job markets - EHE learner post 16 data, if possible - Information on the partnership work between schools, Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University to provide a unified curriculum offer in Wrexham (iii) That Wrexham University representatives be invited to attend a future meeting to provide more information on the post 18 offer locally. (iv) To reiterate the concerns of the Committee with regard to the barriers resulting in lack of access to post 16 and further education for some learners.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That Executive Board be requested to consider covering additional redundancy costs and ALN costs as set out in report COFI/44/24s for 2026-27 funded through an increase to the current cash limited budget. (ii) That the Lead Member be requested to respond in a timely manner to the concerns of the Committee regarding the need to cover current year redundancy costs. (iii) That information regarding predicted redundancy costs for 2026-27 be shared with the Committee when available. (iv) That the Council administration be requested to adopt a more consistent style of messaging in relation to school budget deficits, particularly recognising the pressure that comments can create in an already difficult situation. (v) That further detailed consideration of the levels of and variances in school licensed deficit figures be considered in a closed meeting. (vi) That the Committee recognises and appreciates the efforts of all those who are working to manage the very challenging financial situation in Wrexham schools and recognise the pressures this brings to all concerned.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COFI/44/25s) to update on the schools and education and early intervention department budget position as at 30 September 2025 for the 2025/26 financial year. The Chair referred to the recent press coverage in respect of school budgets. She highlighted the increase in the projected number of schools to be in a budget deficit position by 31/03/2026, the loss of school staff and increasing class sizes as a result of funding not keeping up with rising demands and costs. She stressed the importance of working with and supporting schools and governing bodies. Presenting the report the Lead Member referred to the hard work undertaken by schools and the challenging financial picture in the public sector. The Lead Member thanked local authority finance officers and schools for working together in difficult circumstances. Members were advised that review was taking place on the funding formula and this would be reported to the Executive Board in January 2026. Referring to the redundancy costs facing schools the Lead Member assured the Committee that he would continue advocate for assistance for schools facing additional redundancy costs that exceeded the funding of £200,000 set aside from school budgets at the start of the financial year. The COFI reiterated thanks to schools for their co-operation in working with finance officers. He referred to the national trend for school ISB total balances to go in negative figures since 2024/25 due to the financial pressures schools were facing commenting that the position in Wrexham was not unusual. Data suggested that this situation was likely to increase. The Chair invited the Headteacher of St Joseph’s High School and Ysgol Clywedog to address the Committee. They thanked the Lead Member for his supportive comments and referred to the insufficient money in the Education system, the reduction in staffing posts in schools and the associated redundancy costs, the impact on the curriculum offer and the impact on Headteacher well-being. The COEEI addressed the Committee highlighting the unprecedented pressures on schools and the Education community in relation to the budget. She also referred to the loss of grants which had been available during and post pandemic to assist schools in managing the pupil needs. Whilst the funding was no longer available schools were still dealing with the resultant pupil complexities. Members considered the report and asked questions of the Lead Member and officers present. During debate the following matters were highlighted: · Concern at the increasing number of schools projecting licenced deficit. · Concern at the variance in the level of school licenced deficits. Further information requested on the reasons behind it. · The Lead Member confirmed that the local authority was fully sighted on the issues and providing support to schools. · The use of supply teaching. Reported that the use of cover supervisors had allowed some schools to reduce reliance on supply teachers and had additional benefits for the school as the member of staff was familiar with the pupils and school set up. · Concern expressed regarding the impact of the budget pressures facing schools including meeting statutory responsibilities in relation to ratios, meeting the additional needs of children, child welfare and appropriate provision. · Recognition of the huge contribution of all staff in schools and the pressures they were facing. · Concern regarding the impact on staff morale. · Further information needed regarding staff leaving costs and the impact of redundancy on deficit recovery. · Reported that there had been assurances given to schools that leaving costs would be met. · Noted that there may have been some unintentional miscommunication in respect of redundancy costs. The COEEI assured Committee this would be looked at to understand how the misinformation had occurred. · Concern expressed regarding additional costs such as the management of cleaning that had been put back into school budgets and whether that additional cost would be met appropriately. Clarity was sought on whether the management of cleaning by schools would be cost neutral. · The additional pressures facing schools as more children entered the system with complex needs and developmental delays and required a more bespoke type of education and support, combined with the duties arising from the ALN bill and resultant costs associated. · Acknowledged that there was insufficient funding for and investment in Education, both at a national and local level. · Clarification sought on the role of the Wrexham School Budget Forum. Proposed that the terms of reference be circulated to Committee members. · Clarification sought in respect of the school licensed deficits process. The Lead Member advised that a review of the process would be undertaken and shared with Members. AGREED – (i) That Executive Board be requested to consider covering additional redundancy costs and ALN costs as set out in report COFI/44/24s for 2026-27 funded through an increase to the current cash limited budget. (ii) That the Lead Member be requested to respond in a timely manner to the concerns of the Committee regarding the need to cover current year redundancy costs. (iii) That information regarding predicted redundancy costs for 2026-27 be shared with the Committee when available. (iv) That the Council administration be requested to adopt a more consistent style of messaging in relation to school budget deficits, particularly recognising the pressure that comments can create in an already difficult situation. (v) That further detailed consideration of the levels of and variances in school licensed deficit figures be considered in a closed meeting. (vi) That the Committee recognises and appreciates the efforts of all those who are working to manage the very challenging financial situation in Wrexham schools and recognise the pressures this brings to all concerned.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the information in report COEEI/28/25 be noted.
The Lead Member for Education submitted an information report (COEEI/28/25) to share the Education Department’s approach to vocational GCSEs (VCSEs) for learners aged 14–16, including the national policy context in Wales, implications for schools and learners, and the planned local authority (LA) actions for curriculum, commissioning and support. It was proposed that this matter could be scheduled into the work programme for future debate. AGREED – That the information in report COEEI/28/25 be noted.