Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Education which was presented to provide Members with the opportunity to scrutinise progress in relation to the Blaenau Gwent Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2017-2020 and the associated Welsh medium grant proposal.

The Education Transformation Manager spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

A Member referred to forecasting growth and enquired if there was increased demand for Welsh places.  The Education Transformation Manager said that it was difficult to forecast growth in relation to Welsh medium education, consideration was given to the catchment areas and projections in relation to trend and birth data, there were also in year transfers.  The Directorate were looking to work more closely with the Early Years sector around growth and transition. She also noted that accessibility, e.g. transport was still a key issue in Blaenau Gwent.

A Member enquired regarding budget implications. The Education Transformation Manager said there was no direct financial implications associated with the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, however, the Welsh-medium proposal for the development of a new 210 place primary school, which was subject to statutory process and to political approval, could mean there may be some revenue implications associated with the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan of which the proposal was a part.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 1, namely that the report and associated course of action be accepted.