Agenda item

The Director of Education and Inclusion presented the report to members to give members the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process.

The Chair reminded members that the WESP was due back to Committee for pre-scrutiny at their December meeting

The Chair referred to page 41 of the document where it was stated that when additional funding is made available the Council would be ambitious with their proposals to invest in Welsh medium childcare and early years settings.  She asked what if funding wasn’t forthcoming

The Director of Education and Inclusion stated that the Authority are committed to investment in this area and hoped members would feel reassured by their past commitment in this area.  She added this could be demonstrated through the childcare capital grant scheme (Dolau, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdar, Llanhari, Evan James, Ynyswen, Abercynon and Llantrisant had all received recent investment) with further proposals on the horizon which will positively impact their target for the provision of Welsh Medium Education.  She reassured that the capacity will be there and there will be growth in the sector for RCTCBC

Another member welcomed investment in education in welsh medium childcare settings but was surprised to read there was no development planned in areas where there were currently no welsh education settings. She added that she felt the loss of Pont Norton did leave a gap in the Pontypridd area and was concerned that Evan James would have enough capacity to compensate that loss and felt this gap needed to be explored.

The Director of Education and Inclusion responded that it was critical that the Authority attracts at an early age with a view to retain once the children are in the sector.  She added that Childcare sufficiency assessments are also undertaken and they are proactively looking to identify gaps in provision to ensure the Authority can address the needs that are sustainable.  She added that a partnership approach with all sectors is needed to ensure the ambitious targets are met.

The Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation added that we are starting to see an improvement in the take up of numbers for Welsh Medium Education with Ysgol Llanharry attracting more families, rather than them opting for Llanharry.  She added that Dolau Primary school was also a receiving a new 560 place extension which will cater for Welsh medium education and serve the new Llanilid development

The Senior 21St Century Schools Project Manager added that the Capital investment in Welsh Medium Childcare was starting to see an improvement in numbers with Ysgol Llanharry reporting higher numbers with their offer of flying start through the medium of English, families are then opting to stay on at Ysgol Llanharry.  She added that they were working hard withMudiad Meithrinto identify gaps and find solutions and identify a provision for a Clych Meithrin near Taffs Well and Nantgarw area.

The Senior 21^st Century Schools Project Manager added that they were also exploring other innovative solutions such as an outdoor nursery/ forest school provision which would be the first in area.  She added this option will form part of a funding bid for further capital investment in the area.

A Member referred to the letter on page 85 of the report that stated the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 places a duty on all Local Authorities in Wales to consult on, produce and review plans that provide the strategic direction for the planning and delivery of Welsh medium and Welsh Language education in their locality.  She asked for more information on this.

The Director of Education and Inclusion Services stated that Central South Consortium were doing a lot of work in English Medium Schools to make the welsh Language accessible to learners and to ensure an inclusive approach. 

RESOLVED: Members noted the contents of the report and it was agreed for their comments to be taken forward as part of the consultation process