The Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to discuss the annual report on the Welsh language, the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and the catering service review. Key decisions included endorsing the Welsh Language Monitoring report for Cabinet consideration and approving the commencement of statutory consultation on proposals to alter Welsh language provision at four primary schools.

Annual Report on the Welsh Language 2025-26

The committee received the annual report on the Welsh language for 2025-26, which detailed the council's legal duty to comply with the Welsh Language Commissioner's specific standards. Councillor Carys Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities and Welsh Language, presented the report, highlighting key activities such as a new partnership with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to support the education workforce and the opening of the Canolfan Brianne Welsh Language Immersion Centre.

Concerns were raised about the trend of young people leaving the county, leading to a decrease in Welsh speakers in some areas. Councillor Jean Lewis noted that while she understood the reasons for young people leaving, such as job opportunities, it remained a concern. Gwyneth Ayers, Corporate Policy and Partnership Manager, explained that while the ARFOR initiative had aimed to track people, its funding had ended, making it difficult to monitor returnees. She also acknowledged that people moving into the county could impact language statistics.

Councillor Martyn Palfreman declared an interest as an associate of an organisation providing consultancy support to the council. Councillor Sue Allen and Councillor Edward Skinner declared interests as council-appointed members of the Welsh Language Advisory Panel. Councillor Liam Bowen declared an interest as his wife works for the council's Translation Unit.

The committee endorsed the report for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Welsh Language.

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP)

The committee considered proposals to implement regulated alterations to Welsh language provision at four primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The overall aim of these proposals is to strengthen Welsh-medium provision by enhancing early immersion opportunities and ensuring clearer progression pathways, in line with Carmarthenshire's WESP 2022–2032 and national policy aims such as Cymraeg 2050.

The proposals involve gradually increasing Welsh-medium provision, with changes applying only to new year groups entering the school from September 2027. Existing pupils would not be adversely affected.

Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, Chair of the committee, declared an interest as his son-in-law works at Ysgol Llandybie. He stated he would remain in the meeting but would not vote.

Councillor Betsan Jones, Vice-Chair of the Council, welcomed the proposals and congratulated Councillor Russell Sparks on his success in learning Welsh. Councillor Liam Bowen asked about lessons learned from past experiences to ensure progress at a quicker pace, and Councillor Steve Williams inquired about safety nets to ensure children do not fall behind educationally. Councillor Martin Palfreman raised concerns about potential parental resistance and the impact of demographic changes on schools.

The Director of Education and Leisure, Owain Lloyd, assured the committee that the authority would work with each school to develop tailored schemes, including communication with parents and professional development for staff. He also highlighted the importance of the immersion centres in developing language skills.

The committee endorsed the proposals to commence formal statutory consultation on the Welsh language provision at the four schools, for consideration by the Cabinet.

Catering Service Review Update

The committee received an update on the ongoing review of the council's education catering service, which is facing significant financial and operational challenges, including a projected annual overspend of approximately £500,000. Ian Jones, Head of Healthy Communities and Public Protection, and Chris Pugh, Senior Catering Manager, presented the report, outlining challenges such as staff sickness absence, recruitment and retention difficulties, and the need to comply with Welsh Government standards and local strategic priorities.

The report identified potential delivery models, including externalisation and the establishment of a Local Authority Trading Company. The committee was advised that a further report would be presented in the autumn to inform a decision on the preferred future operating model.

Councillor Betsan Jones inquired about the pilot scheme with Bremenda Isaf Farm and the origin of food supplies. Ian Jones confirmed that vegetable supplies from Bremenda Isaf Farm had been successful and were being adapted for wider use, while acknowledging challenges in meeting the demand for all schools. He also mentioned working with procurement frameworks to source local produce.

Councillor Martyn Palfreman asked about the evidence for the local authority trading company model and its impact on workforce issues, referencing Delta and other authorities. Ian Jones confirmed that lessons would be learned from Delta and other examples, and that consultation with unions and staff would be crucial.

Councillor Shelly Godfrey-Coles raised a query about voluntary contributions for breakfast clubs, noting a deficit on income. Ian Jones acknowledged the point and suggested a review of the voluntary contribution system. Director of Education and Leisure, Owain Lloyd, added that breakfast provision sometimes served as childcare for parents, and suggested a holistic review of the school day.

Councillor Kim Broom asked for more information on the overspend, specifically the proportion due to sickness rates and agency staff costs. Ian Jones confirmed that staff absences were a significant contributor to the overspend, alongside shortfalls in grant funding for free school meals and income targets not being met.

Councillor Lewis Davies inquired about the impact of the Welsh Government's £15m announcement to extend free school meals into secondary schools. The Director of Education and Leisure explained that discussions were in their initial stages, with further details required from Welsh Government to assess costings.

The committee unanimously resolved to receive the Catering Service Review update and agreed that a further report would be presented in Autumn 2026.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2025/26

Susanna Nolan, Group Accountant for Education and Leisure, presented the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report for 2025/26, as at 28th February 2026. The report indicated a projected revenue budget overspend of £8.4 million, with schools forecasting an overspend of £8.9 million. This position was described as unsustainable, requiring urgent action at individual school levels. Central education services, however, were forecasting an underspend of £442,000.

Councillor Kim Broom raised concerns about the significant deficit within church schools, questioning the authority's impact and recovery options. Susanna Nolan clarified that church schools were treated financially the same as non-church schools.

Councillor Stephen Williams asked for clarification on the freeze for redundancy/early voluntary redundancy on page 623 and the overspend on bus bays and changing facilities at Amman Valley on page 617. It was clarified that there had not been a freeze on redundancies, but rather the figures reflected those accepted within the year. Information on the capital overspend would be circulated separately.

Anthony Enoch, a parent governor, asked about key themes emerging from the work of officers with secondary schools regarding budget overspends. The Director of Education and Leisure confirmed that themes included staffing structures, declining pupil numbers, and the need for inter-school collaboration. He also acknowledged the national challenge of education system funding, particularly for Additional Learning Needs (ALN).

Councillor Jean Lewis questioned the sufficiency of the formula for ALN and whether it reflected the genuine needs of schools in a rural county. She also asked how the situation had changed over the last one or two years, noting improvements in some schools and deterioration in others. The Director of Education and Leisure acknowledged the national funding challenge and stated that the authority continued to make representations to Welsh Government. He expressed confidence in primary school recovery but noted alarming figures for some secondary schools, reaching a point where statutory notice might be considered.

The committee resolved to receive the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report.

Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26

The committee received and endorsed the annual report detailing its work programme and key issues addressed during the 2025/26 municipal year. Councillor Jean Lewis requested a change to section 4.2.3 of the report, which stated the cabinet and council had unanimously decided on the closure of Ysgol Llansteffan, stating she would not have voted for that decision and believed only the cabinet had made that decision. The Chair agreed to check this.

Explanation for Non-Submission of Scrutiny Report

An explanation was received for the non-submission of the Modernising Education Programme Update report, stating that departmental officers had agreed a timetable with Pre-Cabinet for MEP school organisation proposals to be submitted to Scrutiny in Autumn 2026. The committee noted this explanation.

Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Plan for 2026/27

The committee reviewed and approved its draft Forward Work Plan for 2026/27, noting its flexibility and the planned six meetings until the end of the year. The next meeting was scheduled for 16 September 2026.

To Sign as a Correct Record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee Held on 12th May 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th May 2026 were unanimously resolved to be signed as a correct record.

The Chair thanked the officers and councillors for their contributions, highlighting the thorough work and appropriate comments made during the meeting. The meeting concluded with a reminder about the warm weather.