Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Education Transformation & Business Change which was presented to outline the outcome of the annual consultation process, in line with the revised draft of the Blaenau Gwent Admissions Policy for Nursery and Statutory Education 2023/24.

The Service Manager Education Transformation & Business Change presented the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

A Member referred to Appendix 1 paragraph 20 Home to School and Post 16 Transport – and raised concerns regarding a ward issue relating to an overflow of children for the forthcoming Year 7 intake to Abertillery Learning Community. The Service Manager Education Transformation & Business Change said this issue specifically related to the Home to School and Post 16 Transport policy.  The Service Manager advised that the admission number for Abertillery Learning Community was 150 and they had allocated ‘in time’ applications up to the admission number.  There had been four ‘late’ applications and they were working with the Abertillery Learning Community to look to extend their capacity in order to accommodate those additional learners. 

Following further discussion, the Service Manager reiterated that this issue specifically related to the Council's Home to School and Post 16 Transport policy, and although the Admissions policy for Nursery and Statutory Education 2023/24 referenced the Home to School and Post 16 Transport policy it was for the Council, as an admissions authority, to implement the Admission Policy in line with Welsh Government’s School Admissions and Admission Appeal codes.

Councillor Bob Summers left the meeting at this juncture.

A lengthy and detailed discussion ensued whereby Members expressed concern regarding the Home to School and Post 16 Transport policy, the Service Manager thereupon clarified points of concern raised by Members.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 1; namely that the Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee considered and accepted the policy document.