Spotlight Powys

Powys Schools

Motion or resolution considered by Powys County Council

This motion was heard on 08/12/2022. It was proposed by Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by Bryn Davies .

Motion as voted upon

Concerns have been raised by fellow council members, parents and members of the public following the possibility of reducing the schooling week down to just 4 days has and is being considered by the authority as a mitigation action against rising energy costs and budget pressures.

We note that Estyn stated in their 2021-2022 Annual report-

· Overall, learners’ skills have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. This is especially the case for numeracy and literacy skills, particularly oracy skills. The social and personal skills of a minority of learners have also been affected, especially the youngest children and those who have struggled to settle back in to more ‘normal’ educational routines.

· Learners’ use of spoken Welsh generally declined as a result of the pandemic.

· Restrictions have had a negative impact on learning involving practical elements, including work placements, practical assessments for vocational qualifications and subjects such as music, design and technology and physical education.

· Overall, the progress providers are making towards implementation of the Curriculum for Wales is too variable.

· Across all sectors, there has been a notable increase in demand for well-being and mental health support.

· Attendance, in schools in particular, continues to be below pre-pandemic levels and persistent absence issues have increased

The cost of living crisis is effecting us all and families are facing significant pressures already, this type of idea, even if just a concept at this stage, is un-helpful, ill thought out and one that if carried through would may significantly harm our young people and will only add to home pressures.

In view of these negative findings from Estyn, the importance of supporting our young people, the recognition that budget / financial pressures are not only on the council and the need to ensure a full and proper impact assessment on the Welsh language and Welsh language education in accordance with Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code is carried out before making any changes -

Council accepts the importance of a 5 day attendance at our schools and that no school in Powys should be asked to reduce their school week to 4 days as a result of the councils budget proposals.

For - 55
(98.2%)
Abstained - 1
(1.8%)

Result: Passed
Vote Requirement: Simple Majority

  Voting Record

Below is the individual voting record for all councillors on this motion/resolution.

Name Group Vote
Baynham, Beverley
Presteigne
 Independent Group For
Bebb, Danny
Churchstoke
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Beecham, Matt
Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower
 Resigned Did not vote
Beecham, Sarah-Jane
Crickhowell with Cwmdu and Tretower
 Resigned Did not vote
Berriman, Jake
Llandrindod North
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Breeze, Ben
Kerry
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Breeze, Graham
Welshpool Llanerchyddol
 Independent Group For
Brighouse, Little
Disserth and Trecoed with Newbridge
 Non-Affiliated Did not vote
Brignell-Thorp, Jeremy
Forden and Montgomery
 Non-Affiliated For
Cartwright, Anita
Talybont-on-Usk
 Resigned Did not vote
Charlton, Jackie
Llangattock and Llangynidr
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Church, Richard
Welshpool Castle
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Colbert, Tom
Bronllys and Felin-fach
 Non-Affiliated For
Cox, Sian
Llangors with Bwlch
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Did not vote
Davies, Aled
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Davies, Angela
Rhayader
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Davies, Bryan
Llanafanfawr with Garth
 Independents for Powys Group For
Davies, Bryn
Banwy, Llanfihangel and Llanwddyn
 Plaid Cymru Group For
Davies, Sandra
Cwm-twrch
 Welsh Labour Group Did not vote
Dorrance, Matthew
Brecon West
 Welsh Labour Group For
Edwards, Deb
Llangunllo with Norton
 Non-Affiliated For
Ewing, Josie
Llandrindod South
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
George, Les
Caersws
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Gibson-Watt, James
Glasbury
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Harrison, Ian
Guilsfield
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Healy, Kelly
Newtown Central and South
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Hulme, Heulwen
Rhiwcynon
 Independent Group For
James, Peter
Llanwrtyd Wells
 Independent Group For
Jenner, Amanda
Trelystan and Trewern
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Johnson-Wood, Claire
Llanyre with Nantmel
 Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Adrian
Berriew and Castle Caereinion
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Jones, Arwel
Llandysilio
 Independent Group For
Jones, Ed
Old Radnor
 Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Gareth D
Llanfair Caereinion and Llanerfyl
 Independent Group For
Jones, Gareth E
Llanelwedd
 Independents for Powys Group For
Jones, Joy
Newtown East
 Non-Affiliated For
Kennerley, Adam
Newtown North
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Kenyon-Wade, Corinna
Knighton with Beguildy
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Abstained
Lewington, Pete
Newtown West
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Lewis, Karl
Llandinam with Dolfor
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Lewis, Peter
Llanfyllin
 Welsh Conservatives Group Did not vote
Lloyd, William
Gwernyfed
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
McIntosh, Iain
Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
McNicholas, Susan
Ynyscedwyn
 Welsh Labour Group For
Meredith, David
Brecon West
 Welsh Labour Group For
Mitchell, Gary
Llanbrynmair
 Plaid Cymru Group For
Morgan, Gareth
Llanidloes
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Morgan, Geoff
Ithon Valley
 Non-Affiliated Did not vote
Powell, William
Talgarth
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Preston, Glyn
Llanidloes
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Pugh, Gareth
Dolforwyn
 Welsh Conservatives Group Did not vote
Pugh, Jeremy
Builth
 Independents for Powys Group Did not vote
Ratcliffe, Gareth
Hay
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group Did not vote
Rijnenberg, Liz
Brecon East
 Welsh Labour Group For
Roberts, Lucy
Llandrinio
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Roberts, Pete
Llandrindod South
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Robinson, Carol
Welshpool Gungrog
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Roderick, Edwin
Maescar and Llywel
 Independent Group For
Selby, David
Newtown Central and South
 Welsh Liberal Democrat Group For
Thomas, David
Tawe Uchaf
 Welsh Labour Group For
Thomas, Gwynfor
Llansantffraid
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Vaughan, Elwyn
Glantwymyn
 Plaid Cymru Group For
Walsh, Chris
Brecon East
 Welsh Labour Group For
Wilkinson, Jonathan
Llangyniew and Meifod
 Welsh Conservatives Group For
Williams, Ange
Knighton with Beguildy
 Independents for Powys Group For
Williams, Huw
Aber-craf and Ystradgynlais
 Welsh Labour Group For
Williams, Michael
Machynlleth
 Independent Group For
Williams, Sarah
Aber-craf and Ystradgynlais
 Welsh Labour Group Did not vote

Source: Voting Record