PLAID Cymru have called on the Powys cabinet member for education, Liberal Democrat Cllr Pete Roberts to take “ownership and responsibility” for failures highlighted in an inspection report by Estyn.
Unlike the other opposition groups at Powys County Council, Plaid Cymru are not calling for Liberal Democrat, Cllr Roberts to immediately fall on his sword – but challenge him to lead the improvement drive.
This follows a damning report on Powys County Council’s education department being published by Estyn yesterday, Thursday, March 27
The education watchdog for Wales inspected the council department that runs schools in the county in February and found: “significant concerns.”
The report highlighted that there have been a number of “poor” inspection reports for secondary and all ages schools in the county and that there are leadership weaknesses at all levels.
Estyn gave the council four recommendations to address.
In responses to the report opposition groups have rounded on the council’s political leadership and want to see mass resignations.
But Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Elwyn Vaughan is taking a slightly different different approach and points out that problems in Powys’s education service run much deeper and go back many years.
Cllr Vaughan said: “The report is a serious disappointment which highlights the failings that many of us have been concerned about for some time.
“What is interesting is that Estyn talk about the long term shortcomings that go back to the critical report published in 2011.
“A fundamental question is to ask why do we still have the same old problems?
“Over the years responsibility for this falls on several individuals.
“The current portfolio holder (Cllr Pete Roberts) needs to show clear leadership on how he intends to improve the situation.”
Cllr Vaughan explained that Cllr Roberts needs to “take responsibility and ownership” of the damning report.
Cllr Vaughan continued: “The Plaid Cymru group want to see a programme of works with targets and a timeline for improvement.
“Responsibility needs to be taken by reporting back on progress of this work to councillors.”
“That is how we will measure whether the cabinet member for education should stay in his role.”
Cllr Vaughan added: “If he feels he can’t do this then he should consider whether he is capable of leading the service.”
Council leader Liberal Democat, Cllr James Gibson-Watt has defended Cllr Roberts and confirmed he would not be sacking him.
Cllr Gibson-Watt said: “If you read the report, it actually says that Pete has a good understanding of the service and provides appropriate support and challenge to it.
“So, it would be odd to sack a person for doing their job properly.”
The four Estyn recommendations are:
- Strengthen the quality and impact of leadership, including political leadership, at all levels.
- Strengthen the quality of support and challenge to schools to improve outcomes for all learners, including those with ALN.
- Work with partners to rapidly develop and implement a model for 16-19 education that is financially viable and sustainable and meets the needs of all.
- Ensure that the local authority addresses urgently important school site security issues.
Once the action plan is drawn up Estyn will review the council’s progress through a series of monitoring visits.
