Issue - meetings

The action sheet arising from the meeting of the Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 11th February, 2021 was submitted, whereupon:-

Verbal Update – COVID-19 Pandemic

A Member requested a progress update in relation to the funding from WG for extra PPE equipment for schools. 

The Education Transformation Manager said that new PPE guidance along with training had been issued to all schools in February.  Requests for additional PPE were monitored fortnightly and all schools had sufficient provision in place for the current phase of reopening.  The training and guidance would be updated with any new or emergent updates from the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales.  WG funding had been received and allocated accordingly, and managed in line with the allocation of PPE in line with both the additional funding and the hardship fund.

A Member commented that a number of additional grants had been received and requested a progress update on the ALN Covid-19 support grant, the PDG access clothing grants and the EdTech programme. 

In relation to the ALN Covid-19 support grant and the PDG access grant, the Service Manager Inclusion said that they were working with the EAS to allocate the ALN Covid-19 support grant to schools on a per pupil basis, this should be with schools shortly.  The PDG access clothing grant had been extended until the end of June and the application process was now live on the Blaenau Gwent website.  A letter was being prepared for schools to share with parents, and some schools had already included this information on their school social media account.  Both grants were being made available either to schools or to parents.

A Member commented that the WG had announced £72m for education and requested a report on what bids were being submitted to the Welsh Government.

The Corporate Director of Education said that as there had been several additional resources and funding opportunities over the spring term, it had been agreed with colleagues in Finance to produce one document that would highlight the resource and how that resource would be used.  A Briefing Note would be prepared to provide details of grant funding being received by the Directorate.

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the action sheet be noted.