Agenda and minutes

People Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 1st April, 2025 10.00 am

Venue: via Micosoft Teams - if you would like to attend this meeting live via Microsoft Teams please contact commttee.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Contact: Email: deb.jones@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Media

Items
No.	Item
1.	Simultaneous Translation You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so. A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested. Minutes: It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.
2.	Apologies To receive. Minutes: An apology for absence was reported for Councillor J. Holt.
3.	Declarations of Interest and Dispensations To receive. Minutes: No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.
4.	People Scrutiny Committee PDF 74 KB To receive the decisions of the People Scrutiny Committee held on 18^th February, 2025. (Please note the decisions are submitted for points of accuracy only). Minutes: The decisions of the People Scrutiny Committee held on 18^th February, 2025 were submitted. The Committee AGREED that the decisions be accepted as a true record of proceedings.
5.	Action Sheet PDF 63 KB View the background to item 5. To receive Minutes: The action sheet arising from the meeting of the People Scrutiny Committee held on 18^th February, 2025 was submitted. The Committee AGREED that the actions be noted.
6.	Improving Schools Programme PDF 160 KB View the background to item 6. To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Education. Additional documents: Appendix 1 , item 6. PDF 210 KB Appendix 2 , item 6. PDF 205 KB Minutes: Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director for Education. The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted as provided (Option 2).
7.	Blaenau Gwent Admissions Policy for Nursery and Statutory Education 2026/2027 and Consultation on Catchment Area Review PDF 228 KB View the background to item 7. To consider the report of the Service Manager Education Transformation and Business Change Additional documents: Appendix 1 , item 7. PDF 2 MB Appendix 2 , item 7. PDF 78 KB Minutes: Consideration was given to report of the Service Manager for Education Transformation & Business Change. The Committee unanimously AGREED to recommend an alternative Option 3 to Cabinet, namely: a) That the People Scrutiny Committee considered and recommended that Cabinet approve the Blaenau Gwent Admissions Policy for Nursery and Statutory Education 2026/2027; and b) Recommended that Cabinet do not support the Consultation on the Catchment Area Review and agree that a separate report on the Catchment Area Review be submitted for further scrutiny, considering the concerns raised by Members regarding topography, demographics, access to transport, parental choice, friendships of pupils being broken, the active travel review; and also the need to consider the consultation responses contained within the current report . The overriding concern was to support cluster working and give children the best chances in life.
8.	Blaenau Gwent 10-year Welsh in Education Strategic Plan Update Report PDF 182 KB View the background to item 8. To consider the report of Service Manager Education Transformation and Business Change Additional documents: Appendix 1 , item 8. PDF 4 MB Appendix 2 , item 8. PDF 442 KB Appendix 3 , item 8. PDF 118 KB Appendix 4 , item 8. PDF 211 KB Minutes: Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager for Education Transformation & Business Change. The Committee AGREED to recommend that the update on Blaenau Gwent 10 Year Welsh in Education Strategic Plan be approved by Cabinet (Option 1).