Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
Members will be aware of our intervention in Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council following the critical Estyn report of May 2011 and the further critical re-inspection report of January 2013. I am making this statement to inform Members of further action that I propose.
During its May 2011 inspection, Estyn found the performance of the local authority education services to be unsatisfactory and also found the authority’s prospects for improvement to be unsatisfactory. In light of these very serious shortcomings, Estyn believed that special measures were required in relation to this authority. In the re-inspection in January 2013 Estyn again concluded that the performance of the education services and the authority’s prospects for improvement are unsatisfactory and that the authority continues to require special measures.
Today I am announcing an additional member to the Ministerial Recovery Board in order to strengthen it. I have appointed Gary Owen to the Board in order to support the political leadership of the authority.
I will continue to keep Members informed of progress.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.