Venue: By Zoom
Contact: Katharine Flanagan-Jones
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L Roberts, G Morgan.
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Disclosures of interest To receive any disclosures of interest by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest from Members relating to items for consideration on the agenda.
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Declarations of Party Whip To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.
(NB: Members are reminded that under Section 78 Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.) Minutes: The Committee did not receive any disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011. |
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DRAFT 2024-2025 BUDGET To scrutinise the Draft 2024-2025 Budget.
Attached, in relation to the Cabinet’s Budget proposals to Council are the following documents: Minutes: General The Committee noted, observed, or requested that: · The impact assessments provided were not satisfactory, with little detail to enable the Committee to give constructive challenge, particularly around the Schools Delegated Budget.
Leisure and Education The Committee noted, observed, or requested that: · There was an apparent lack of equity in Leisure facilities for pupils across the County, and the ability for learners to be transported easily, Officers agreed that transport requirements needed to be better understood. · The impact on learners on the potential reduction in leisure services would not be known for some time. · The savings of the Leisure services budget reductions were interlinked with the Sustainable Powys programme and elements once defined would be brought to the relevant Scrutiny Committee, therefore the Committee felt the service lacked a distinct vision. · Schools close to the border may lose learners from Powys Leisure facilities to Shropshire or Herefordshire without appropriate transportation provision. · As Freedom Leisure had not yet signed the adjustment to the contract agreement, concerns were raised by the Committee of what assurances could be given that the cost reductions would be realised. · The Impact Assessment was disappointing as it did not refer to the Education Minister’s focus on aspirations for all. · Concerns were raised that there was no acknowledgement of multi-able and talented learners within the Delegated Budget.
Welsh Medium Education The Committee noted, observed, or requested that: · Further information be provided on the funding of TROCHI immersion across Powys, the current £100k covers little more than the staffing resources. Budget drives results and outcomes, without financial support, schools are powerless to provide learners the opportunity to be taught in the language of their choice. · The Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee would form a TROCHI working group to review the existing provision, development, and map progress.
PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) The Committee noted, observed, or requested that: · It was important to establish the changes of the ALNET (Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal) Act and measure the impact on both schools and learners to feed into a remodelling of the PRUs. · Information was provided by Officers on the timescales, capacity, occupation, and transportation. · Concerns were raised that schools would not have sufficient budget nor skills to deal with pupils remaining within their home school rather than receive provision through a PRU. · A clear risk in relation to the cost reduction and whether it would be delivered within the fiscal year, given that remodelling would be undertaken.
Schools Delegated Budget The Committee noted, observed, or requested that: · Officers gave the latest cumulative position of £500k in Quarter 3 with a projected cumulative position for 2025-26 of £1m. · Schools In depth reviews had been positive in sourcing savings, with further reviews scheduled after the February half term and the schools funding formula had been processed. · The 4.2% increase in the delegated funding, which was welcomed, it was noted the figure was less than other service areas. · They be informed of the date and amount of the Welsh Government grant funding for ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: As item 4 |
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Appendix I Overarching Budget 2024-2025 and Individual Impact Assessments relating to the proposals under the Cost Reduction Proposals above (Appendix C).
Additional documents:
Minutes: As item 4 |