Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Malcolm Lane.

None.

None.

Beth Watkins introduced the report and answered the members’ questions:

• What do you mean by "parents with a disability" in the childcare offer criteria?

"Parents with a disability" can include parents with a physical disability, a learning disability, or mental health difficulties. Referrals are typically made by professionals who know the family well, such as midwives, health visitors or social workers, so the disability does not have to be a visible one.

• Do you know how many parents with learning disabilities are supported through the scheme?

No, I don't have those figures. Children's Services would be the best source for data relating to parents with learning disabilities and the support they receive.

• Is the service truly universal, or is it mainly focused on Flying Start children?

The service includes a universal element. While Flying Start remains targeted geographically in certain areas, many programmes and workshops are open to all families across Monmouthshire. The intention is to ensure families can access support regardless of where they live.

• Can families simply turn up to activities, or do they need to be referred?

Both routes exist. Referrals are generally used for intensive one-to-one support identified by professionals such as health visitors, midwives, GPs, voluntary organisations, nurseries or schools. However, parents can simply attend many Flying Start activities, workshops, child and family groups, and speech and language groups without a referral.

• Is the "Team Around the Family" service something people can drop into?

No. Team Around the Family is a referral-based approach. It provides bespoke support tailored to a family's needs and involves coordinated working between services such as health, social care and voluntary organisations. The support package is developed through conversations with the family about what matters to them.

• The report refers to "all eligible two-year-olds". What makes a child eligible?

In this context, eligibility refers to children living in the core Flying Start areas of Monmouthshire, including parts of Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow and Caldicot. The childcare element is currently geographically targeted, although the offer is being expanded.

• Where are the Welsh-medium childcare settings that provide Flying Start childcare?

There are two Welsh-medium providers: Y Ffin in Abergavenny and Cylch Meithrin Cil-y-Coed (Cil-y-Coed) in the south of the county. Both provide Flying Start childcare places and have worked with the programme for a number of years.

• How many people use the service, how many staff are involved, what budgets are available, and are people being turned away because of funding constraints?

The service is currently well resourced. The Flying Start team consists of around 33–34 staff, including childcare practitioners, early years specialists, parenting and child development workers, and dads' workers. The core Flying Start programme supports approximately 595 children aged 0–4. Funding also supports health visitors, administrative staff, assistant practitioners and a speech and language therapist. Families are not currently being turned away because of budget pressures and Flying Start in Monmouthshire has historically been well funded.

• Will the changes to childcare funding have any implications for Monmouthshire County  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes were confirmed, proposed by Councillor Rooke and seconded by Councillor Jones.

Actions arising from previous meetings were being progressed, particularly those linked to the committee's forward work programme. An updated version of the action list had been prepared since the agenda was published, reflecting progress on several items.

• Dentistry scrutiny would be postponed to January 2027

• 7^th December Meeting ~ Proposal to Invite National Highways and SWTRA

• Follow-up Action on Funding and Rural Poverty ~ Arising from the earlier discussion on deprivation and Welsh Government funding: The Chair proposed that the committee formally request that the relevant Cabinet Member pursue the issue with Welsh Government and report back on:

• How Monmouthshire's case is being made.

• Whether "deep material poverty" and rural deprivation are being adequately recognised.

• What representations are being made on funding allocations.

Noted.

12th October 2026 at 10.00am.