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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, The Rhadyr USK. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

·         County Councillor P. Pavia declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as Chair of the Governing Body of St. Mary’s RC Primary School.

·         County Councillor V. Smith declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as her grandchildren attend Goytre Fawr Primary School

·         Mr. M. Fowler declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as Chair of Raglan Church in Wales Primary School Governing Body which is a member of the Monmouth cluster of schools.

·         Mrs. L. Wakerley, declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as Chair of Trellech Primary School Governing Body.

·         County Councillor A. Easson declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as a School Governor at Dewstow Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Y Ffin.

·         County Councillor M. Powell declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as a School Governor at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School.

·         County Councillor T. Thomas declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as a School Governor at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.

·         County Councillor D. Jones declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 3: School Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas as a School Governor at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni and Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School.

2.

Schools Admission Policy and School Catchment Areas: To seek the views of scrutiny as part of the consultation on the proposed changes. pdf icon PDF 601 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed five parents representing parents and children at Usk Church in Wales Primary School and Goytre Fawr Primary School to the meeting.  The following points were made:

 

Parents from Usk made the following points:

·         There was support for the proposal that Usk and surrounding areas form part of the catchment area for Monmouth Comprehensive School, thus enabling children and young people to continue their education through the Monmouthshire education system.  The current system has led to friendship groups of children being split up between four schools due to the lack of designated secondary school.  This has adversely impacted on children and parents’ wellbeing plus the stress of the admission appeals process.

·         It was commented that, under the new plan, a child wishing to follow an older sibling to Caerleon Comprehensive School would not be entitled to free home to school transport as it is not now the nearest school, and there was the potential that siblings would not attend the same school.

·         The oversubscription criteria was highlighted as a problem as there would be less chance of obtaining a place at Monmouth Comprehensive School from some addresses due to the distance from the school, with pupils from the Forest of Dean and Herefordshire being closer.  Priority should be given to pupils living in Monmouthshire.

·         The proposed change from Caerleon Comprehensive School catchment was felt to be too quick and unfair, and should be introduced from Reception age to better allow parental choice.

·         Consultation meetings were held at the same time as school parents’ evenings.

·         The admission of children from English schools creates difficulties with Welsh studies at Monmouth Comprehensive School, having had no experience or appreciation of the language.

 

The Chief Officer responded that there had been full and complete consultation comprising public meetings and an online survey.

 

Parents from Goytre made the following additional points:

·         There were too many consultation documents for parents to read, digest and respond to in a short period of time.

·         Different information was given at different meetings.

·         Concern about prejudicial interest from elected members with children educated in Monmouthshire schools.

·         A younger sibling will be in catchment for King Henry VIII Comprehensive School, and the elder at Caerleon School. Parents would prefer they attend the same school as they live closer to Caerleon School which is oversubscribed.

·         Concerns were raised about aspects of the online survey and storage of data.

 

The Chief Officer responded that:

 

·         There is no predetermined decision and that all views have been sought in a range of ways, as fairly as possible. 

·         There is no personal or prejudicial interest for elected members.

·         Regarding the survey, GDPR is taken into consideration and a balance of data will be looked at.

 

The School and Student Access Manager summarised the proposals and provided an overview of the consultation feedback.  This was mainly from Goytre and Usk parents where the majority of families didn’t have a catchment school in Monmouthshire.  A report will be written for consideration by Cabinet and will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

To discuss future options for Mounton House Special School pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Key Issues:

The Chief Officer clarified that the formal consultation on the closure of Mounton House School is in progress and provided background information about the school.  Questions were invited

 

Member scrutiny:

·         A Member of the Select Committee opposed the proposal and suggested that Option 3 (change type of provision) would be preferable to avoid closure which would go against the authority’s policies and the wellbeing agenda.  It was acknowledged that finances are difficult on the existing numbers but it was queried why there was no detail of alternative strategy to compare against closure.  In response, the Chief Officer clarified that there are no other alternatives because these would have had to have been costed and would have led to a predetermined case.  If the proposals are agreed, alternative strategy for the accommodation of additional learning needs would be compiled at that time.

·         A Member of the Select Committee, and also the local member for the school, supported the original Option 3 to change provision at the school to meet the requirements of children with ASD and SEBD in the county on a transitional basis and referred to the table of advantages provided at that time Caerphilly.  It was added that there is strong support for the school within the local community and that staff have enormous impact on the lives of the pupils.  The Public Service Board priority of giving all children in the county the best start in life was referred to.  It was recognised that these are vulnerable children in need of the support they receive through the provision at the school.  In turn, this improves learning for mainstream pupils by reducing challenging behaviour in the classroom.  The Member doubted the financial aspects of the reasons for closure and supported the school remaining open gradually widening the number of pupils and age range and transitioning to accessing 21st C School funding to make improvements to cover the growing need in the county.  The Member referred to the Change.Org petition signed by 2200 people.  Referring to possible modifications to the school, a breakdown of the costs has been requested.  The Chief Officer explained that developments in other authorities has contributed to less pupils for Mounton House School.  It was added, regarding Band B/C capital funding, that decisions on priorities in the county have been very difficult.  A further capital cost will bring more challenges.  Band C funding isn’t released until 2024 and the financial position at the school will worsen in the interim time. 

·         A Member also opposed the closure of the school and supported Option 3 and was concerned about the consequences for the children e.g. the potential for long bus journeys to access alternative provision.  The Chief Officer responded that there is need to think about appropriate access and provision for children, and levels of need.  There is no presumption that pupils would return to mainstream with one to one support. 

·         A Member referred to the falling numbers at the school and suggested that the only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Next meeting: 4th April 2019