The Scrutiny Performance Panel – Education met on Monday 12 February 2024 to discuss the annual budget proposals as they relate to education matters and to review the council's work programme. The panel expressed concerns about the reduction in school reserves and the level of funding Swansea receives from the Welsh Government for education.

Annual Budget Proposals - Education Matters

The panel discussed the annual budget proposals for education, receiving a presentation from Councillor Robert Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and Kelly Small, Head of Education Planning and Resources. Key areas covered included the overall school budget for 2024-25, central budgets and staffing, Additional Learning Needs (ALN), service reviews, charges to schools, and other savings.

The panel noted that while they recognised the challenging budget, they were encouraged by the careful consideration given to available options. However, concerns were raised regarding the continual reduction in the level of reserves held by schools, emphasizing the importance of these reserves acting as a buffer. The panel also highlighted that Swansea's education funding from the Welsh Government is relatively poorly ranked compared to other Welsh local authorities, and they would support efforts to improve this position.

Positive points included the welcome news of an ALN minibus pilot and the anticipated funding from the Welsh Government to cover the uplift in teachers' pension costs. Conversely, concern was expressed about flatlining grants from the Welsh Government and their impact on overall education spending. The panel also noted the recurring overspend in Home to School Transport and stated they would continue to monitor this.

While welcoming the enhancement of 'in county' provision to reduce out-of-county placements, the panel expressed concern that projected savings in ALN should not negatively affect overall ALN outcomes. The panel concluded by thanking both schools and the central education team for their work during challenging times. The points raised by the panel will be forwarded to the Service Improvement, Finance and Regeneration Scrutiny Performance Panel.

Work Programme

The panel noted the work programme for 2023/2024, accepting that an additional meeting had been scheduled for 19 February to discuss school organisation in relation to the amalgamation of special schools in Swansea.

For Information - Recent Individual School Inspection Outcomes List

The panel noted the list of recent individual school inspection outcomes. They requested that future reports include more context, such as the positive aspects observed at the schools.