Rocke
|
The latest week that wasBusy week last week - for me at least ( you'll see what I mean ).
Tuesday, Ed & Leisure Scrutiny committee, 15 items on the agenda and me in the Chair.
A lot of good things to report.
The results of some Estyn inspections were reported.
Estyn carry out two types of inspection - short and full.
The short ones concentrate on management and social issues, for want of a better way of putting it. It's how the children get on with each other, how they are learning, how well the school is managed - that sort of thing.
The full one targets 7 key areas which result in a grade as an answer to each of 7 questions eg. How well is the school managed ?
A '1' means there are no shortcomings and indeed models of good practice, 2 - some shortcomings but nothing significant, 3 shortcomings in that area which need to be addressed, 4 - oh dear.
There's also a counterpart to these questions, which is 'what are the prospects for improvement ?'
We had a report on a recent Estyn inspection of Swfrydd Primary school.
This was the short type and the inspection came very shortly after the school had a new Head, Mr. Reeves ( I hope I've got that right ).
In between the previous Head's departure and his appointment the school had the benefit of Mr. Taylor of Abertilery Primary to lead them through the run-up to the inspection.
A great result. The vast majority of gradings were a 2 and the only area for suggested improvement was in Welsh speaking. This wasn't a bad grade anyway but it seems that Estyn are almost of the belief that Welsh should form a significant part of the school day, so any school conducting everything ( apart from Welsh lessons, of course ) in Welsh is likely to have this comment.
The Head was at our meeting to hear the praise our Members heaped on the school and all who had made it such a good inspection.
Next up, All Saints RC school in Ebbw Vale.
Another super report which Mrs Olsen, the Head, nor her deputy was unfortunately present to receive our thanks personally due to prior engagements.
All Saints actually had some Grade 1s.
Nice to know when our children are getting good starts to their education.
Not only children but adults as well.
The Adult Learning Service was also inspected.
A strange one this in that Estyn threw us, Newport and Monmouthshire into the same melting pot. This means that none of the authorities can really know which of the gradings and recommendations more affects them. However that inspection wasn't at all bad and it does mean we can look at all aspects and review our workings and make changes if necessary.
LAPA ( Local Authority Partnership Agreements ) were outlined.
These are are where the Sports Council enters into arrangements for us to promote healthier lifestyles through sport.
A huge sum of money comes into the borough to help us provide lots of initiatives such as swimming for the over 60s, outdoor pursuits etc. etc.
There's a similar sort of funding for community-focussed schools ( not from the Sports Council ). This provides sums for things like after-school, clubs, breakfast clubs etc.
The way of funding has changed and now the money's being spread on a more even basis, rather than those schools who have things in place.
The All Schools Forum has agreed this approach.
A few other bits and pieces but the whole agenda done and dusted in 80 minutes, a record I think.
Mind you this was possibly down to the relatively low attendence - only 7 out of 15 I think, 1 out of 5 Labour and another 6.
Unfortunately Wednesday's Housing and Regen Scrutiny Ctte had already been called off as inquorate. That means we didn't have 4 Members available.
There was the Absence Management working group as well ( guess what - no Labour members again in attendence ).
A very productive meeting.
Latest figures show that there's an average of 1.5 less days absence per person which is the equivalent of 22 more people in work every day.
What we have to also remember is that every person who leaves the authority, some on health grounds with pensions, creates an employment opportunity somewhere along the line.
I and a few other members were pleased with the way that some employees on long-term sick, especially those with serious illnesses, were given support by professional counsellors and occupational therapists to ensure that their welfare was ensured.
The main feature of the policy is that managers effectively monitor sickness and that trends are picked up and followed through, whether that be after International weekends or in periodic pulses.
It is just possible that an hitherto unknown but ongoing condition might be picked up, helping that person avoid greater dangers to health.
Thursday morning and it was my first Community Councils Liaison Board meeting.
Proportionality means that the Partnership only nominates one Member because the 9 Executive Members sit as well, so that makes our 10.
Cllrs. Mccarthy and Dally were the only Labour nominees out of 5 to make this one.
Anyway, not only do the Community councils bring up issues in their areas but also everywhere else as well.
Tredegar was interested in schools rationalisation in the Ebbw Fach valley.
Brynmawr had nothing to being up.
Anyway, there's the Town Clerk of Nantyglo & Blaina pointing out that he's an ex-Executive Member ( of BG ), ours ensuring that we knew that he had been - and surprise Tredegar's also ( of both Rhymney Valley and Caerphilly ). Sat behind them was ex-Leader McCarthy.
Don't these people realise that in trying to give themselves kudos and creedence by highlighting the levels they've reached at some point they also point out that their removal from those offices is also a reflection of failure somewhere along the line ?
Anyway I've made that point because this meeting seemed to be all about political posturing.
Thurs afternoon and it was Environment and Public Protection.
Labour again managed 2 out of 5 ( I think we were 5/10 ).
We had a really good presentation on Noisy Neighbours. It was pretty apt because I've a constituency issue at the moment about this.
Anyway, there's quite a lot that can be done if your neighbours are causing a nuisance, and apparently a lot of it has been done in my ward. Yes, equipment confiscation is an option, and it has been done.
We were due to have a presentation on Neighbourhood Policing but Supt Warrender wasn't able to make it ( I'm beginning to think all these absences must be down to me being there ) but no doubt will be at the next meeting. There's certainly a few things I'd like cleared up.
Managed to sort out a couple of constituency matters. How we manage to miss small tracts of grass off the cutting schedules amazes me.
I think what happens is that the computers in the offices are used and don't actually reflect the real outside.
All the bank between Attlee Ave and the small park is cut, yet the front of Lansbury Bungalows isn't, resulting in big tuffs of grass as high as the chainlink fence. One pop into the office and the next day it's sorted. Thanks Alun.
Checked as well that the re-roofing of Attlee Ave will go ahead as planned.
I've a few constituents waiting for repairs that can't be started until the roofs are watertight ( and one who thinks Cllr. McCarthy has a magic wand, and his influence stretches into Cwmtillery ).
Had a meeting with the Leader regarding a major initiative to help brighten our lives a little. Hopefully later in the year we'll be able to see it come to fruition.
Don't forget Aberfest starts and Saturday's National Armed Forces Day.
Might also be the day I get to engage Agent Smith.
Searching for target........
Cheers.
|
