Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

None

The Panel reviewed the letter and agreed the minutes.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda. 

There were no public questions received.

Invited to attend are Cllr Jen Raynor (Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning and Skills) and Education Officers

Link to relevant Budget Cabinet Papers for 18 February 2021 (papers will be available online from 11 Feb 2021)

The Cabinet Member for Education Improvement, Learning and Skills, the Director of Education and the Head of Education Resources attended the meeting to discuss the Annual Budget as it relates to education matters.

After the discussion, with the Cabinet Member and Officers on the Annual Budget as it relates to Education, the Panel agreed the following feedback; which was included in the Service Improvement and Finance Scrutiny Performance Panel response to Cabinet on the 18 February 2021.

·         We were satisfied overall with this year’s budget as it relates to education matters.

·         We welcome the capital spend and the 3.3% gross uplift in the delegated schools budget.

·         We were pleased that Education continues to be one of the top priorities for Swansea Council.

·         Is there provision in the budget to ensure the reimbursement of any expenses incurred by those schools that remained open throughout the Covid period?

·         We asked what savings proposals there are in relation to School Transport.  We were informed that the proposals that are for consultation will be put to Cabinet in March.  Can they be circulated to the Education Scrutiny Panel, once they are available?

·         Has the cost of the potential new footprint of ERW and the closing down of the existing ERW structure been factored into the budget moving forward?

·         We would like to take this opportunity to thank Schools, Governors and the Education Department for their excellent work over the past year. Particularly how they have managed the challenges that this Covid period has brought.

·         Four pupils and the Headteacher from Bishopston Primary School will attend the Panel on the 18 March to give their views on remote and blended learning.

·         The Estyn Report, ‘the education response to the pandemic’ has been scheduled for discussion at the Panel meeting on the 22 April.